The daughter of two vulnerable 90 year old Edinburgh residents has spoken of her disbelief at Tesco refusing to deliver to their New Town address due to the Fringe.
Tricia Forbes-Pearce lives in Oxford but says that her parents moved to Edinburgh around 30 years ago and ever since then they have been loyal Tesco customers.
The 90-year-old couple are extremely vulnerable and during the pandemic they relied upon Tesco to deliver their shopping at the same regular slot each time.
They require the regular and consistent slot as they also rely upon a third sector agency that visits at set times to help them unload their shopping.
However, Tricia claims that Tesco - with apparently no warning - withdrew the delivery service from the elderly couple, with an email shared with Edinburgh Live citing that the Fringe festival as the reason the supermarket giant is unable to attend the Dublin Street home.
The couple rely on having their comfort favourites that they know will not disrupt their body and that they know they will enjoy.
On the ordeal Tricia said: “It does not make any sense for Tesco to cancel deliveries to these postcodes with no prior warning to residents who live in the area.
“My parents rely on me placing their order three weeks in advance so that they know they will be able to secure a priority slot and for it to arrive at the same time as agency support workers who help them to unpack.
“I tried to get an answer from Tesco for about a week and eventually I was told that there was nothing that could be done. A decision was made higher up the chain to halt deliveries to certain city centre locations during the Fringe. This is regardless of the fact that the Fringe is operating at a reduced capacity and that the New Town is traditionally unaffected by Fringe traffic.
“ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and others are all continuing to deliver to my parents address. Some might say we should switch over but my parents have the Tesco only brands they have grown accustomed to over the years. Not to mention how long it takes to build up a new order or to find products that match your needs at a new store. This is also true for their budget.
“My parents have supported Tesco for decades and it feels unfair that Tesco would turn their back on vulnerable customers in this way. I really hope common sense prevails.”
Tesco were contacted by Edinburgh Live for comment.
