Morrisons announces its car parks will become Covid-19 vaccination sites

The supermarket chain will be using car parks at their stores in Wakefield, Winsford and Yeovil as Covid-19 vaccination points from next week, while another 47 sites have been made available to the Government.

Morrisons chief executive David Potts said the assets of the company are “at the disposal of the country”.

“We’ll have three stores operating from Monday 11th January and we have offered up another 47 subject to requirements and availability of the vaccine,” he commented.

Mr Potts added that, despite the introduction of new national lockdowns in England and Scotland, the supermarket will not introduce limits on certain products initially.

“We haven’t got limits on things like pasta and flour and all of those things that people seem to stock up on,” he said.

“I think we’ll see how the British people handle the news.

"Clearly we can turn it on fairly sharpish and it’s really making sure that everyone has stock.”

The first lockdown back in March last year, saw supermarket shelves across the country stripped bare and bosses are keen to avoid similar scenes a third time around.

He added that the new lockdowns – including the order for vulnerable people to shield – are likely to affect the same 2,500 workers at the supermarket who were forced to shield during the March lockdown.

As a result of extra Covid-related costs, the supermarket will spend £10 million and has seen a fall in takings due to cafe closures and fuel as fewer journeys are made.

But, overall, sales at the grocer soared 9.3% in the past three weeks, which included the key Christmas trading period, compared with the same time a year ago.

Bosses said they also saw an increase in sales in November due to remaining open as an “essential” retailer during the second national lockdown in England.

This was particularly noticeable in Tier 4 areas, under the toughest restrictions, with Mr Potts suggesting a lack of activities was seeing bored customers going on shopping trips instead.

What changes and what stays the same as Sheffield moves from Tier 3 to lockdown

Hospitality, retail and leisure businesses will be able to claim up to £9k with new one-off grants

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.