‘Bring back Bob!”: Angry villagers ‘boycotting’ Waitrose after popular car park attendant suspended
The wealthy village’s residents, including former football players and Corrie icon Charlie Lawson,
are furious.
Many irate villagers claim they are boycotting their neighbourhood Waitrose because a well-liked parking attendant
was placed on leave. The suspension of Robert Shaw, often known as Bob, who works at the Waitrose parking lot in
the Cheshire community of Alderley Edge has angry the locals.
Allegations surfaced that Bob had been “letting people park for free” in the pay lot off of the main London Road.
Village shoppers must pay a fixed £1 for up to 90 minutes to use the supermarket parking lot; those who use the
Waitrose store adjacent to it receive a discount.
As part of the “Bring back Bob” campaign, locals, including former Coronation Street star Charlie Lawson and
Manchester United icon Willie Morgan, gathered for a protest outside Waitrose this week. They claim that he is
“more than just a traffic warden” who watches after children and dogs and even gives marital advice to grocery store
shoppers and parking lot patrons.
suspended earlier this month after eight years working full time patrolling the car park.
However, some irate villagers say they will no longer park or shop at the Waitrose supermarket until Bob’s problem
is fixed. More than 120 people have signed a petition demanding that Bob be reinstated immediately. Gaynor
Morgan has been spearheading the “Bring Back Bob” campaign, saying: “Bob is more than just a parking lot
attendant; he is a member of the community. He is a friend to people, and the people here trust him so much that
they leave their children in the car while they visit the store, or he will watch the dogs for customers. That shows you
how much of a part he is.
“This decision is outrageous, people are boycotting Waitrose now because of it, the villagers are behind him, so we all
hope we can get Bob back. This is a man’s life we’re talking about, it’s not a game here, and we’re behind him all the
way.”
“Bob was a great asset to the village, our cars were secure, he’s just a very friendly guy,” actor Charlie Lawson, who
played Corrie legend Jim McDonald, told the MEN, joining a group of supporters outside Watirose that included
local business owners and shoppers who were demanding that Bob be given his job back. “He looked after us, he
lifted bags of shopping into cars for people, I have dogs so Bob would always know to look out for the dogs when I
came to the supermarket; he was genuinely just a friend to everyone shopping at Waitrose, he looked after our cars,
so this is just a stupid load of b****y nonsense.”
The MEN contacted Waitrose, who stated that it is crucial to clarify that Mr. Shaw works for the parking firm
Britannia rather than Waitrose. However, they acknowledged that they are aware of the circumstances in Alderley
Edge.
The representative stated: “We are aware of certain false rumours that have been going around on social media, but
we are unable to comment on specific incidents. Our staff at Alderley Edge is still fully dedicated to greeting guests
and providing them with the first-rate service they have come to expect.”
“As a responsible employer, we strive to ensure that our teams are supported in their roles and only take action if
there are legitimate concerns,” a Britannia Parking spokeswoman continued. Regarding the specifics of our
investigation, we are unable to comment.
Mr. Shaw, 65, of Stockport, who has been suspended while the accusations are being looked into, refused to be
photographed when the MEN met with him. According to him, one of the complaints is that I’ve been giving people
free parking, and another is that someone claimed to have heard me curse. I can only assume it’s when I’m
discussing football, particularly Manchester United, because, come on, you do get annoyed about that.”
“I like to think I’ve been a help to the community over the past eight years on that car park,” he continued, “so it has
been upsetting.” My name is ‘Mr North West Information’, and I provide marriage advice, counsel, and dog care
services. “Can you watch my baby while I’m in the store?” people ask, and the children all refer to me as “Mr. Bob.”
He said he fears this could now be the end of his career. He said: “I don’t want to retire, but I feel that’s the way this
is going.”
Business owners are gathering around in favour of Bob too. According to Carla Fishwick of the Style Lounge hair
salon, her customers are heartbroken by his absence.
“I’ve had a lot of people ask me, ‘Where’s Bob?'” she remarked. Some mothers I know will know he will watch over
their children when they dash into the store after school.
“Many of my clients depend on him. One is really ill, and Bob would always assist them with their automobile
shopping because that’s his personality. Everyone is upset about this, and he has been a great assistance to many.
“Bob is a pillar of the community, he’s a great guy and since running the shop here he’s always been most faithful
guy, the whole community thinks the world of him,” says Nigel Ramsay, manager of the Just Plonk wine shop in
Alderley Edge. “He’d even alert local businesses if shoplifters were about, that kind of thing. I’m not going back in
Waitrose again after this. Bob needs to get reinstated.” Alderley Edge resident and former councillor Marc Asquith
added: “He’s a stalwart of the village, kids love him and know him as Mr Bob. People are now parking everywhere
now that he’s gone.”
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