Supermarket trip highlights recession realities for MP

Buy photos » HR manager Lorraine Glover, deputy manager Yvonne Sheehan, Karen Lumley MP, Ron Butterton, customer service colleague and Dave Reath, deputy manager. (s)

REDDITCH'S MP has taken to the supermarket floor to try and find out more about how the borough's residents are coping with the impact of the recession.

Karen Lumley took a tour around Sainsbury's last Friday (August 31) where she spoke to staff, managers and shoppers.

Interesting facts revealed during the visit included more people are using cash instead of credit or debit cards to help them budget and there has been a surge in the popularity of value range items being bought and stocked by the chain as residents look to cut costs in the face of rising food prices.

Mrs Lumley is making a similar trip to Morrison's off the Warwick Highway on Friday and the Oakenshaw branch of Tesco in the next two weeks.

She told the Standard the visits were aimed at allowing her to learn more about the everyday realities people are facing.

"I shop in these stores every week whether in London or Redditch so it's not as if I don't know the price of a bag of sugar, but it's important I'm in touch with what's happening in our supermarkets, what the realities are for people and I can then feed that back to the Government," she said.

"People are struggling and we've got to help them out and we are putting in policies to do that.

"I had a very productive chat with the management of Sainsbury's and it was pleasing to hear Redditch Sainsbury’s is performing well and the store is committed continuing to support the local economy. It is vital we keep supporting our employers to increase employment and support growth in Redditch."

Yvonne Sheehan, Sainsbury's deputy store manager, added: "Our colleagues enjoyed meeting Karen talking about their roles and skills they’ve developed through working for Sainsbury’s. We were also proud to share the work we’ve done in the local community through various different projects."

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