Disgruntled blood donors expecting to use a donor station at North Cheam Sainsbury's car park have labelled the superstore selfish' following a surprising decision by staff.

Kind-hearted shoppers found they had to walk to the Sports and Social Club further up the road to give blood, after Sainsbury's new manager Peter Elborough cancelled an arran-

gement with the National Blood Service, moving the mobile donor station next door.

The new manager hastily changed the venue which had been advertised in the Comet and sister paper the Sutton Guardian siting the busy Christmas season as the reason for the change of heart.

With business booming, Mr Elborough felt that the packed car park would not be able to accommodate the parking needs of the National Blood Service and its donors.

Sean Williams, senior duty manager at the store, told the Comet: "In hindsight I think it would have been prudent of us not to book it this week."

Claiming that the London Road store is 25 per cent busier than last week, Mr Williams added: "We want to work closely with the local community and have a good working relationship with them."

But North Cheam resident Elizabeth Pollard said: "This was the 72nd time I had given blood and most of those times have been at Sainsbury's. The blood donor people were really upset.

"Apparently the people at Sainsbury's told them they took up too much space. It's one of the most selfish things I've ever heard of."

A spokesman for the National Blood Service Russell Guthrie conceded that staff may have to face angry complaints from donors unable to find suitable parking.

Mr Guthrie also confirmed that plans to use the Sainsbury's car park had been booked seven months beforehand, but had to be changed after a last minute check was made with the superstore.

He added: "It's an unfortunate misunderstanding that has now been resolved. But we have been assured that we can use Sainsbury's car park on future dates."

December 21, 2001 09:30