A SUPERMARKET has signed up to support a campaign to give people a place to sit down.

Staff and residents from the Parmoor Court care home in North Oxford have been campaigning for businesses to sign up to the Standing Up 4 Sitting Down campaign, run by the home's owners Anchor.

More than 600 Sainsbury’s stores, including three in Oxford, have joined the campaign which calls for retailers to maintain the amount of seating available in-store so that older and disabled people, pregnant women or anyone who needs to can rest mid-shop.

Anchor launched the campaign after research found that 69% of over 70s said the amount of seating in public places across the country is falling with 66% believing the lack of seating in shopping areas is a problem.

The stores in Heyford Hill, Westgate and Oxford Road, Kidlington will encourage people to use the seats.

Lucienne Bracke, Manager of Parmoor Court, said: “Older people are often cut off from the online world, so it’s crucial we enable them to connect in other ways.

“Anchor’s campaign calls for change that benefits everyone.

"For shops, providing seating is a great opportunity to boost footfall and spending.

"For older people, it offers the opportunity for important social contact to tackle loneliness, encourages physical exercise, and allows a generation the chance to live later life to its fullest.”

The su4sd campaign has also been supported by Debenhams, Hotter, and more than 200 independent retailers across England.