Morrisons slammed for failing to protect Romsey shop

The store in the town centre was targeted in a series of ram raids last year, after which authorities took steps to help the grocery titan put new bollards in place.

Cllr Nik Daas raised the issue in a Facebook post. He said: "An emergency panel was set up to address the issue with the key objective of protecting the Morrisons shop from further ram raids and risks to pedestrians. 

READ MORE: Morrisons Daily in Romsey closed after another ram raid

Cllr Nik Daas raised the issue in a Facebook post (Image: Contributed) "It was agreed that the parties like the police, Hampshire and Test Valley councils would fastrack bollard protection of the Morrisons frontage.  

"The only remaining task was for Morrisons to submit an official application so the bollards could be installed, asap. 

"Four months on and no application has been submitted by Morrisons even with multiple occasions of chasing them.

"It leaves me to wonder that they are clearly content to take the risk of further ram raids and risks to public safety. 

"I will be escalating this to more senior management within Morrisons in order to get this moving and have a more secure area."

Cllr Nick Adams-King said: "It seems extraordinary that Morrisons have not as yet submitted their application for bollards when local councillors and the Romsey police worked so hard to ensure cooperation from the various parties needing to approve it.

"I recognise that the location in the Cornmarket may create a challenge in respect of finding a solution which is sympathetic to its historic setting and architecture. 

"However, given the risk to both customers and staff and the impact on their ability to trade, I hope Morrisons bring their proposals forward very soon."

Romsey's mayor, Cllr John Parker, said: "Shortly after the most recent ram raid and, separately, the accident involving an out-of-control car, Romsey Town Council convened a meeting of interested parties.

"It was clarified that the responsibility for installing bollards outside Morrisons was with Morrisons.

"They were advised to apply to Hampshire County Council (HCC) as Highways Authority for permission to install bollards and to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) for planning clearance as the bollards would be in the conservation area.

"I see that Morrisons have recently replaced the shop front, but no bollards have been installed.

"As far as the town council is aware HCC and TVBC have yet to be approached for the necessary permissions which is disappointing - I have asked town council officers to chase this matter up.

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"Separately, the town council is exploring ways in which pedestrians and market traders in the Cornmarket can be separated from vehicles on market days while maintaining access at other times for deliveries and disabled parking.

"An outline scheme is currently being discussed with HCC."

The MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, said she was "disappointed" with Morrisons' lack of action and said she would be contacting them.

A spokesperson for Morrisons said: "We are working hard to get the bollards installed outside our Romsey Morrisons Daily store imminently. 

"We are just waiting for the planning application to be approved but are in regular contact with the Council and as soon as we get the green light we will start the work"."