A shopper has been "banned" from an Aldi store for not using a basket or trolley.
Lee Nutbean, 48, popped into a store in Plymouth to buy a pint of milk, but was refused entry because he did not "clean a trolley or basket."
A member of staff told him it was company policy and he "could not enter without the basket".
Stunned, Mr Nutbean contacted head office who apologised for the issue, and was told to return to the store and tell them it wasn't actually company policy, reports Plymouth Live.
But when he spoke to the manager he was told the branch had made the decision to enforce the basket rule, claiming it "makes things easier at the till".
He claims he was subsequently banned from the store.
Mr Nutbean said: "When entering the store I was told I need to clean a trolley or basket to enter.
"I explained I just need to purchase a pint of milk and didn't see why I have to clean and carry a basket, when surely it would be healthier all round if I simply pick up the milk and pay for it."
After being refused entry, he said: "I called Aldi customer services to enquire if this is company policy and they told me it wasn't, they apologised to me for this experience and said I should return to the store and let them know customer services said I didn't need a basket to purchase the milk."
Mr Nutbean told the store manager what customer services had told him, but the conversation didn't go well.
He said: "He then said he had had enough of this and said 'you are now banned from this store and I don't care if you call customer services.'"
He believes he was "treated very unfairly" and hopes at the very least to get a formal apology from the store manager.
He continued: "I had my own basket and bag so that I did not have to have any contact with any trolleys or baskets provided my the store but he said that it was store policy that everyone has to have a trolley.
"This is ridiculous as hundreds of people must use these trolleys every day and they are not adequately cleaned. Only wiped down on the handles.
"This still leaves the metal of the trolley unclean which I'd rather not put my shopping in."
An Aldi spokesperson said: "We are encouraging customers to use a trolley as it promotes better social distancing, however people are welcome to shop in store with or without a trolley or basket if they choose.
"We have reminded our colleagues of this.”
