04/02/2010 - Man banned for shopping barefoot
A man has been banned from Tesco for attempting to shop barefoot in its supermarkets.
Dave Richards, 47, who has not worn shoes for seven years, was refused entry to several branches of the chain.
The video artist, from Castle Donington, Derby, was told by customer services that it could offend other shoppers.
Last week it emerged that customers at a Tesco store in Cardiff had been banned from shopping barefoot or in their pyjamas.
The dress code was introduced at the St Mellons store because a minority of customers had been visiting in their nightwear, prompting complaints from others.
Mr Richards said: "No other supermarket has ever kicked me out for going barefoot," he said. "But about half a dozen Tesco stores up and down the country have objected to it."
Tesco said it had no national policy on footwear in its stores.
A spokesman said: "Most of our customers would expect to see other customers wearing some kind of footwear.
"However, if for a medical reason he can't wear shoes or any other footwear, we would be more than happy to sit down and discuss the issue."
Mr Richards stopped wearing shoes to cure a limp caused by a broken leg. He enjoyed going barefoot so much that he never looked back.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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