An elderly man from Leeds fears he could be left without food this Christmas after Asda issued a major update to online deliveries for the two weeks either side of the festive period.
Terrance Pluck, from Whitkirk, has not been into a shop since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and has relied exclusively on online shopping ever since.
The 67-year-old has managed to secure a recurring weekly slot for the past few months, but he recently received a message telling him that would not be the case in late December and early January.
An email sent to Terrance from Asda said: “Sorry, we are unable to fulfil recurring slot orders from 19th December - 2nd January.
“If any of your recurring slots fall on these days, you will not be able to use them.
“As a Delivery Pass customer, you can still book a free non-recurring Christmas slot on these dates.”
The change has caused confusion among vulnerable and shielding shoppers and sparked fears that they may miss out on food shopping deliveries altogether if they are not able to get a slot.
Terrance said the change could encourage people to stockpile in the lead up to Christmas.
He told LeedsLive: “I haven’t been in a shop since April.
“Anything I need I get delivered. I walk my dog but I don’t go to any shops. My habits have changed. When I got my letter about shielding I got a slot and I’ve kept it since, thinking it covers Christmas so I don’t have to worry.
“My wife (63) and I can’t afford to bring the virus in the house. We’re both vulnerable. If one gets it, the other gets it.
“I’ve got slots through to December 19, but the email says they won’t have slots from that day so that slot just disappears.
“I have to go to another site or Asda to order food over the Christmas period. I’ve got to think weeks ahead. I’m fine with the computer, but how many other people are shielding?
“People thought they set it up [delivery slots] for the whole year, but the Christmas week they’re going to ask 'Where’s my shopping?'”
A spokesperson for Asda has told LeedsLive that there will still be slots available for people who book in advance.
They said: “Anybody with this kind of pass can book a free slot in between those dates (apart from Christmas obviously), we just can't guarantee that they will be able to get the same slot as usual given how busy we are at this time of the year.”
