A discount retailer has called out a Somerset county councillor after he cited the brand to criticise social care provision.
Councillor Bill Revans, who represents the North Petherton ward, spoke at a scrutiny committee in Taunton on Wednesday (May 9) where the performance of learning disability services – run by Discovery on the council’s behalf – were discussed.
In criticising Discovery’s performance, Mr Revans described the service as “a bargain basement bucket shop” and said that “stakeholders were thinking Waitrose – what they’ve got is Poundland.”
Poundland has now responded to his comments via its official Twitter feed, stating it is “disappointed” by his choice of words but has since accepted an apology.
Thank you Bill – apology accepted.
— Poundland (@Poundland) May 11, 2018
PR and charity manager Andrea Ross said: “While I have no wish to interfere with your sincerely-held beliefs about the quality of local care provision, my colleagues in the Poundland stores in Bridgwater and Taunton – and their 19,000 colleagues across the UK – will get rightly disappointed when someone uses the name of the company they work for pejoratively.”
Poundland has two stores in Bridgwater and one in Taunton – along with one branch in Minehead and three in Yeovil.
Ms Ross continued: “Here at Poundland we work hard to be a good employer – in fact, so much so that our own colleague call the company ‘Proudland’.
“We invite you to come and see that for yourself rather then resort to stereotypes.”
Ms Ross seemed to suggest that Mr Revans’ comments went against the values of the party he represents.
Cllr Bill Revans
She said: “Frankly I don’t think that’s very Liberal Democrat. The preamble to your own party constitution says you ‘champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals’.
“I don’t think my colleagues who work at our stores in Somerset will feel particularly championed by how you use the company’s name.
“Thankfully, they’ll probably also realise your off-the-cuff comparison with Waitrose probably says more about you than us.
“In any event, I think you owe them an apology and a commitment you won’t disparage our colleagues in future.”
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