Asda turns away poppy sellers from Sheffield branch

A SUPERMARKET in Sheffield turned away Royal British Legion poppy sellers, claiming it clashed with their “rota of charity collectors”.
David Rennison, of the Royal British Legion Club, ChapeltownDavid Rennison, of the Royal British Legion Club, Chapeltown
David Rennison, of the Royal British Legion Club, Chapeltown

Poppy sellers in the Chapeltown district were turned away from an Asda store on October 25 - despite having previously been allowed to collect there over previous years.

David Roussell, secretary for the legion in Chapeltown, said collector Jacqueline Stenton was unexpectedly marched out the store and ordered not to return for a week.

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Asda managers said they couldn’t allow poppy sellers that week because it clashed with a calendar of other charity collectors who stand outside the store.

He said: “We were shocked a poppy seller had been turned away and she was upset at being asked to leave the store.

“We always collect at the Asda store us to collect there for one of those weeks could affect our collection total.”

“We send letters to supermarkets around July letting them know we intend to collect, and someone went and agreed it verbally at the Asda store.”

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Mr Roussell said the store had always allowed poppy sellers in the past and collectors had never known any trouble until Ms Stenton was turned away.

An Asda spokesman confirmed its stores have a calendar of charity activity to avoid clashes.

“Across October our stores fundraise for Breast Cancer Awareness month, and there were also two local charities collecting in store at this time.

“As per every year the Royal British Legion is welcomed into our stores from November 1 to 11. We’re pleased the team has been in store since Saturday.”