Blind key worker, 54, gets thrown out of Aldi for shopping with his partner while buying supplies for his elderly neighbours because he was breaking supermarket's one-adult-per-trip coronavirus rule

Aldi asked a blind key worker to leave because he was with his girlfriend while they were shopping for their elderly neighbours.   

Liverpool City Council worker Christy Lynch, 54, was kicked out of Aldi in Thornton despite explaining that he had to shop with his girlfriend because he is totally blind in one eye and has limited vision in the other. 

Like other supermarkets Aldi has encouraged people to shop individually instead of in groups to avoid the spread of coronavirus. 

They only allow one person per trolley but say that parents with children and people who need assistance should be allowed in together.  

Mr Lynch said that he had a mask on and that he takes the lockdown seriously and tries to be as independent as possible but needed his girlfriend's assistance. 

Liverpool City Council worker Christy Lynch was kicked out of his local Aldi in Thornton for being with his girlfriend who was helping him shop for their elderly neighbours because he is blind

'It was humiliating to be shouted at and told to leave in front of a massive queue,' said Mr Lynch. 

When Mr Lynch tried to explain the situation the security guard 'shouted at him and told him to get out.'

Mr Lynch said: 'I'm not an aggressive person at all and I was trying to be diplomatic throughout the whole of this.

'I tried to have a reasonable discussion with management and security but they weren't having any of it.'

Aldi has apologised to Mr Lynch and have said that they will remind Thornton Aldi's security guard that people who need assistance should be allowed into the store with another person

Aldi has apologised since Mr Lynch was kicked out on Friday morning and has assured the public that people who need assistance will be allowed to shop with another person. 

Aldi said: 'To help with social distancing, we are encouraging all customers to try and reduce the number of family members they bring with them into our stores. 

'However, where necessary, customers can shop with others, and we will remind the security guard at our Thornton store of this policy. 

'We have spoken to Mr Lynch to apologise for any upset this may have caused.' 

Aldi's policy on shopping during the lockdown:  

In order to help with social distancing, we are encouraging all customers to try and reduce the number of family members they bring with them into our stores. Where necessary we are using discretion, but like all supermarkets we're asking people to come alone if possible to support social distancing in our stores.

Of course, we ask that all store staff use their discretion with children and parents.

Following recent government advice regarding social distancing, we will be implementing a marker system in store to encourage customers and colleagues to keep a 2 metre distance from each other.