Concern as shelves emptied in Chichester supermarket

A picture posted on social media shows a shelf almost entirely emptied of products including toilet rolls.

Stockpiling concerns first appeared at the beginning of lockdown with residents snaffling up toilet roll, pasta and other essentials.

Donna Ockenden, founder of the Chichester charity the Four Streets Project, posted about the shortage on social media and called for shoppers to think about the knock-on effect of stockpiling.

She said: "Noooooooo! Surely not! Here the toilet roll aisle in Sainsbury's in Chichester today! Please! There is more than enough loo roll and essential supplies as long as people are sensible! @FourStreetsChi - we find it far more difficult to help vulnerable people when shelves are empty!"

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retailers have done an excellent job in ensuring customers have access to food and necessities throughout this pandemic.

"Since March, retail businesses have strengthened their supply chains as well as investing hundreds of millions to make stores safe and secure for customers; this includes perspex screens, social distancing measures and additional hygiene measures. As such, retail remains a safe space for consumers, even under future lockdowns.

“Supply chains are stronger than ever before, and we do not anticipate any issues in the availability of food or other goods under any future lockdown. Nonetheless, we urge consumers to be considerate of others and shop as they normally would.”

The Four Streets Project has been working with the homeless and vulnerable people in Chichester for the past four years. Volunteers spend 365 days a year offering food and support to those in need.