New traffic lights scheme 'police' Atherstone shoppers on social distancing at entrance to Aldi store

SENSORS ABOVE DOORWAYS CONTROL CUSTOMER NUMBERS AND FLOW INSIDE THE SUPERMARKET

ALDI customers in Atherstone are being told to follow a new Covid Highway Code as they walk round the supermarket aisles.

The Station Street store has been chosen among a number across the country being trialled with a new 'traffic lights' sensor system which polices shoppers at the entrance.

The 'green to proceed' or 'red to wait' glass lights above the doors are a simple and effective way to help restrict numbers in the premises – with the sole purpose of keeping everyone at the regulation six feet apart to comply with social distancing restrictions.

Notices on the automatic opening doors at the store entrance inform the public the scheme has been introduced to "help keep a safe distance in the store" – so you can either 'enter' or 'not enter' dependant on how many customers are already shopping inside.

A spokeswoman for Aldi told Nub News: "Not every store has it, but Atherstone is one of the ones chosen."

The next nearest for local shoppers with the new lights is Nuneaton's Weddington Road store.

Aldi customer Elaine Williamson said the traffic lights were a "good" idea, adding: "The sensors show how many come out of the store, and those who are waiting outside will get a green light when it's ok for them to enter, before going red for the person behind."

Nub News revealed last week that Aldi has offered face masks to its entire store-based workforce to protect staff during the virus crisis.

And the town's number one retailer – the Co-op – is issuing frontline shopworkers in food stores and petrol stations face visors to ensure they are safe while serving the community – all as part of its ongoing response to the pandemic.

Massive queues were reported outside B& Q stores over the weekend despite a poll claiming more than three quarters of people feel "unsafe" leaving their house.

Most reportedly followed social distancing rules while waiting to get into the DIY shops after they reopened this week.