SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has not yet been able to provide a promised click and collect service outside its closed Cowley Road store due to driver shortages.
Local city councillors have called on people hunting for jobs to apply for roles with the retailer to drive vans for the temporary service.
Green councillor for St Mary’s Dick Wolff - who took part in negotiations with Tesco to introduce the service - said: “Tesco are struggling to recruit. We hope that people will come forward to help get this service up and running. There are vulnerable people in my ward who are relying on easy access to a large grocery store.”
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The supermarket’s Cowley Road store closed over the weekend, after months of concern from some locals that shutting the shop would leave many vulnerable people without a local supermarket.
Oxford City Council and Tesco had agreed terms for offering a 48-slot each day click and collect service from the car park behind the shop while it was closed.
A click and collect service will be run from the car park behind Tesco on Cowley Road while the shop is shut for 30 weeks of renovation work. Local councillors Craig Simmons and Dick Wolff (pictured) helped to negotiate the service..17/03/2021.Picture by
It was hoped this would help the most vulnerable and least mobile people living on streets around Cowley Road to buy groceries without having to travel to shops further afield or risk visiting other nearby shops facing extra demand.
The store is closing so an extension containing 137 student flats can be built.
The plans, agreed in late 2019, were complimented at the time for also updating the appearance of the shop.
READ AGAIN: Tesco in talks for click and collect as Cowley Road store shuts for building work
A Tesco spokesman said: “We want to continue to support our customers during the temporary closure of our Cowley Road Metro store this summer whilst the store undergoes a significant refresh.
"We are finalising arrangements to operate a local Click+Collect service and we hope to announce details of the new service soon.”
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