Sylvia Freeman said it was ‘totally ridiculous’ that she was not allowed to buy the Bonfire Night treat while shopping at Aldi
A 64-year-old gran has slammed Aldi for ‘health and safety gone silly’ after allegedly being refused the sale of sparklers because she couldn’t prove she was over 18.
Sylvia Freeman said it was ‘totally ridiculous’ that she was not allowed to buy the Bonfire Night treat while out shopping at an Aldi store in Northampton on Saturday.
The grandmother-of-13 claims she was asked for ID and when she couldn’t produce it was told by the cashier that they couldn’t sell them to her.
Sylvia said it left the three grandchildren she had taken shopping, aged 4, 5 and 6, crying with disappointment as they were looking forward to their regular bonfire night event this weekend.
Aldi said the grandmother should have been able to purchase the sparklers.
The mum-of-six from Moulton, Northamptonshire, said although she understood the need to have a policy the decision was ‘health and safety gone silly’.
Aldi said the grandmother should have been able to purchase the sparklers
Retired psychotherapist Sylvia said: ‘I had got all my shopping and was just going through the till when I asked for some sparklers for an event on Bonfire night.
‘The cashier said ‘have you got any ID?’ and I looked through my purse but couldn’t find any.
‘She said ‘we have to have ID or we can’t sell them to you’ but I have never been asked for ID when buying sparklers before.
‘We just had to leave. The children were very upset as they thought we were going to buy them. It was a disappointment for them as they were excited about having the sparklers for the event we are going to.
The grandmother-of-13 claims she was asked for ID and when she couldn’t produce it was told by the cashier that they couldn’t sell them to her
‘They started crying when we left the store and I had to reassure them we were still going to the firework display.
‘I agree that there should be rules for things that are dangerous and for people that are too young but this was a packet of sparklers for a person my age.
‘The rules are there for a reason especially for fireworks which can be unsafe in the wrong hands but it seems to be over the top with a packet of sparklers.
‘I can’t see how it is any different to buying a box of matches or candles.
‘What makes it worse is that one of my friends was sold fireworks and sparklers a few days later in the same store and was not asked for ID.
‘If you look at me I’m clearly not 18. It’s health and safety gone crazy.’
Sylvia said when she quizzed the supermarket on social media she was told its policy was to ask for proof of age if they believe the person is under 18 however they later apologised saying they were ‘clearly in the wrong’.
Sylvia said: ‘If you are in your thirties and look young it is understandable but when you get to your fifties and sixties you are not going to look 18 by any stretch of the imagination.
‘My son said to me ‘I know you look young but no amount of face cream will make you look that young’.’
Sylvia, who is a regular shopper at the Wellingborough Road store, said there was a big queue forming behind her in the store which made her feel awkward.
Sylvia said: ‘They rush you through in there and I was trying to find some ID.
‘I think the cashier should have put my shopping through and called for the manager. That would have been the common sense thing to do but her attitude was ‘look there’s nothing I can do about it’.
‘It’s an inconvenience. When you are looking after three children it is hard enough getting out to the shops so I’m not going out just for a packet of sparklers especially as we have to get in the car to get to the shops.
‘We are still going to the event so hopefully our friends will have some.
‘I’m still planning to shop there but I know now not to ask for fireworks or sparklers.’
An Aldi spokesman said: ‘Ms Freeman should have been able to purchase the sparklers at our Wellingborough Road Store.
‘We were clearly in the wrong and have apologised for the inconvenience this caused.’
The mum-of-six from Moulton, Northamptonshire, said although she understood the need to have a policy the decision was ‘health and safety gone silly’