Coranvirus Portsmouth: Convenience stores selling loose packs of toilet rolls for £5 and hand gel for £9

STORES across the area have been accused of hiking their prices in the coronavirus crisis.
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But the owner of one shop has revealed why he is selling 200ml bottles of hand sanitiser for £9 each amid shortages in the supply chain.

Said Azhar's Zodiac Discount Store in Gosport’s high street is stocking the product but has sold fewer than 10 bottles in 10 days.

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Mr Azhar told The News his London supplier charged him £7.50 plus VAT for each bottle, and he is selling it at cost.

Toilet rolls in Hartley Stores in Bedhampton being sold in loose plastic bags for £5 for four rolls on March 18 2020 as the product is being bulk bought due to coronavirus fears in Britain. Picture: Kaylee BrasherToilet rolls in Hartley Stores in Bedhampton being sold in loose plastic bags for £5 for four rolls on March 18 2020 as the product is being bulk bought due to coronavirus fears in Britain. Picture: Kaylee Brasher
Toilet rolls in Hartley Stores in Bedhampton being sold in loose plastic bags for £5 for four rolls on March 18 2020 as the product is being bulk bought due to coronavirus fears in Britain. Picture: Kaylee Brasher

Criticism has been widespread of shops on social media seemingly selling at increased prices.

But Mr Azhar said he has taken the extraordinary step of telling shoppers not to buy the sanitiser, telling them instead to wash their hands to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Since speaking to The News Mr Azhar has taken the decision to stop selling the £9 product and will restock when smaller and cheaper bottles are available.

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He said: ‘I’m not happy with it in the shop but people are looking for that.

 Hartley Stores in Bedhampton. Picture: Richard Lemmer Hartley Stores in Bedhampton. Picture: Richard Lemmer
Hartley Stores in Bedhampton. Picture: Richard Lemmer

‘When the customer is coming in we advise them not to pay for this, we say we you don't need it – just wash your hands.

'But some people just want that. We have it to keep them happy.’

Mr Azhar took on the store in 2015, together with one in Fareham and Leigh Park. These two have since shut.

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Now he fears the coronavirus could lead to his business failing.

 Hartley Stores in Bedhampton. Picture: Richard Lemmer Hartley Stores in Bedhampton. Picture: Richard Lemmer
Hartley Stores in Bedhampton. Picture: Richard Lemmer

His tissue paper supplier said it would take six weeks to get more to him, and he is already selling packs of four at a loss of £1.30 when it costs £1.50 wholesale.

Mr Azhar said: ‘I see this in the future as very bad if we continue like this.

‘I have nearly 5,000 items in the shop, now it's (only) 10 items people are asking for.

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‘People are not buying anything else now, it's just people relying on tissue paper and hand gel, hand wash and surface cleaner.

Said Azhar, owner of Zodiac Discount Store in Gosport explains why he was selling £9 hand sanitiser Picture: Habibur RahmanSaid Azhar, owner of Zodiac Discount Store in Gosport explains why he was selling £9 hand sanitiser Picture: Habibur Rahman
Said Azhar, owner of Zodiac Discount Store in Gosport explains why he was selling £9 hand sanitiser Picture: Habibur Rahman

'If we continue like this I think we have to close down.’

Supermarkets have put limits on purchases and are opening their doors to the vulnerable only for short periods of time before fully opening.

Councillor Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council's city development cabinet member, said: ‘We are committed to supporting residents and businesses during this difficult time.

‘We hope that by offering businesses clear signposting to the latest information, including news of financial support, it will help our local businesses to survive.’

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Businesses can all (023) 9284 1074 or email [email protected] to ask for help.

Government has granted retail, hospitality and leisure businesses a 12-month rates relief, and is offering loans and grants for small and medium-sized firms.

But an independent store selling four rolls of toilet paper for £5 in loose plastic bags has been criticised for trying to ‘make a mint’ in the coronavirus crisis.

The store manage claims they were packs of six.

Hartley Stores in Bedhampton, a Premier Stores brand off-licence, was selling the products yesterday when shocked shopper Kaylee Brasher, 33, snapped a picture and posted it on Facebook.

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Her husband Nathan, 34, had first spotted them on sale while the Hayling Island pair were searching at eight different shops for toilet paper.

Kaylee told The News: ‘I shared it because I want people to know they’re taking the mick.

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‘I don’t think it’s right that people should profit from it. I’ve been trying to buy toilet roll since the weekend and I haven’t had any luck.’

At her local Best One store on Hayling the price remains £1.79 for a pack of four rolls.

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Posting on Facebook, she said: ‘So....in the middle of a crisis you get the... panic buyers and then those chumps that think they can make a mint!

‘Shame on you Hartley Stores Premier - Bedhampton....pretty sure you don't get these delivered in a clear bag.’

Jag Panchal, manager of the store, said he was trying to serve the community while dealing with empty wholesalers.

Mr Panchal said he resorted to paying £14 for 18 rolls of toilet paper from a store in Havant, before then splitting the rolls into packs of six yesterday. Photos online of his shop appear to show packs of four being sold for £5.

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The 40-year-old said he is concerned for his safety after getting abuse. He said: ‘We saw the Facebook comments and we were up all night worried.

‘One of the comments said “we’re going to send our kids to steal from you”.

‘We are trying to serve the community - I have been here for nine years and had no issues.’

He added: ‘I was up at 4am to queue up at (the wholesalers).

‘But they didn’t have any toilet roll.’

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On Thursday he managed to buy two £2.50 packs from a wholesaler and set them aside for customers over the age of 60 at cost price.

It comes as a 59-year-old woman with underlying health issues has died from the coronavirus at Queen Alexandra Hospital.

Competition watchdog the CMA last week warned anyone who seeks to ‘exploit’ the crisis with inflated prices could be prosecuted.

CMA chairman, Lord Tyrie, said: ‘We will do whatever we can to act against rip-offs and misleading claims, using any or all of our tools; and where we can’t act, we’ll advise government on further steps they could take, if necessary.’

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Meanwhile, police have warned that scammers are using the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen 104 people die in the UK, to exploit the vulnerable.

In a tweet, Hampshire police said: ‘Cyber criminals are exploiting people’s interest in Covid-19 to steal login details & download malware.

‘This has increased as more people have become reliant on internet-based services because they are working from home or in isolation.’

On Wednesday Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt said: ‘Many will be facing tough times.

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‘There is work going on to try and keep people in employment and to support households and business. There will be more announcements in coming days.

‘And some new local and national services are being set up to help. Good work by good people.

‘Sadly others view times like this as an opportunity to exploit people in dire need. Be on the look out for scams or companies looking to make a quick buck by offering expensive loans etc. If you worried about anything let me & my team know. We and others can help.’

Portsmouth City Council said 'shops are legally able to sell products for any price' but said shoppers could call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 for help.

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