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What can and can’t you buy in York supermarkets under the lockdown restrictions? Well, it depends where you go…

The first floor of Tesco in York is blocked off. Photographs: David Dunning

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Shopping

Supermarkets have started blocking off access to parts of their stores following rules introduced after the new lockdown in England.

New guidance published by the UK government said stores in England that have “sufficiently distinct parts” should close the areas selling non-essential items.

But what does this actually mean?

YorkMix has found that three big brands, Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda are doing things differently in our city.

Either way, it’s not hard to get most things, including plenty of ‘non-essentials’.

Of course, as we reported last week, you have loads of local retail options too.

List of non-essentials

Men’s socks in Asda

To see what non-essential essentials we could or couldn’t buy in local superstores we complied a random shopping list and took it to Asda and Sainsbury’s at Monks Cross and Tesco at Askham Bar.

This is what we wanted to see if we could buy.

  • Kettle
  • Hairdrier
  • Phone charger
  • Lipstick
  • Pair of Socks

Socks

Fairly easy this one. At Tesco at Askham Bar they are in the area that has been closed off – but staff will pop up and get them for you, we were told.

At Asda the upstairs clothing section is fully open to the public. All clothes at Sainsbury’s are accessible too.

Come on up – Unlike at Tesco, the upper floor at Asda (Monks Cross)
is open for clothing sales

Hairdryer and kettle

No issues getting your hands on either a hairdryer or a kettle

Again this one is easy to get in all three stores. At Asda the full range of what they sell is on show.

Tesco at Clifton Moor have plenty of electricals downstairs, as do Sainsbury’s. You can pick up TVs and vacuums too.

Cosmetics

Because you are worth it! Plenty of lipstick on offer

What more can we say? Freely available at all three stores.

Phone charger

They are usually on the upper level which is closed off at Tesco at Askham Bar. However staff will go and get things for you.

At Clifton Moor they are downstairs at the moment so easy to get hold of.

Asda will sell you everything you need and even a new phone too.

At Sainsbury’s it was a no. The Argos store within the store handles that sort of thing.

We were told we’d have to click and collect to get a phone charger even though there were accessories behind the counter.

What’s your experience of supermarket shopping in York? Let us know in the comments below