A DISABLED man says his nearest supermarket has become an 'obstacle course' and he struggles to get to the post office in his mobility scooter because of all the shelves blocking the aisles.
William O'Neill said all the Spar shop in Cranham Drive in Warndon needed was 'some jumps' to make 'the obstacle course' more interesting - but that other disabled people had it much worse.
The 67-year-old of Cranham Drive said he went into the shop to get his gas and electric and sometimes to use the post office but now there were 'all these barricades in the aisles'.
Worcestershire Regulatory Services is now investigating as photos show aisles obstructing access to the post office at the back of the shop with produce stacked high and wide.
Mr O'Neill said: "I even said to shop staff 'could you not put a couple of jumps in to make it a bit more interesting?' I used to be able to go in there on my scooter and get whatever I wanted, no problem at all.
"But I haven't been able to since the new management took over.
"There's all these boxes and things in the way. It's ridiculous. I just feel like it's not very community-spirited. I went up there on Thursday and there's all these boxes in there. I had to hobble in to get my gas and electric.
"I feel disappointed that somebody would do that. There's a guy who goes in there with one leg. I can get off and hobble in there but how is he going to cope?"
Mums with push chairs, who did not wish to be identified, also raised concerns about the new 'cluttered layout'.
Cllr Jill Desayrah, the Labour city councillor for the estate, has raised concerns with the shop manager 'over a month ago' about the layout but said he has yet to remove the items which fill the aisles and he has 'done nothing'.
Worcester News has requested a response from the Spar's management but has so far not received a comment.
"The management has started to pile its produce high and wide in the aisles making access, even for people with baby buggies extremely difficult and actually stopping anybody in a mobility scooter getting to the post office," she said.
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She explained to Worcestershire Regulatory Services the difficulties faced by disabled people trying to navigate the shop in mobility scooters or in wheelchairs as well as mums and dads with push chairs trying to get around the shop or to the post office.
Cllr Desayrah said: "I'm always supportive of local businesses but they must conduct themselves in a considerate way. I hope they will soon come back to offering a better community service than this.
"I have been contacted by residents who feel excluded from there. Keeping access to the post office, that's the point. It is like an obstacle course."
A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: "I can confirm that Worcestershire Regulatory Service are investigating the matter on behalf of Worcester City Council."
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