'Energy efficient supermarket fridges are taking away my independence' says York wheelchair user

Reporter James Webster has been to meet Flick Williams, a wheelchair user from York, who has been speaking out about the issues she has faced with doors on supermarket fridges

A wheelchair user from York has been speaking out about the difficulties she has encountered using new doors on supermarket fridges, saying they are making her "dependant on other people" in a way she does not need to be.

Many store chains have been installing the doors in recent months in an effort to save energy, as without doors much of the cold air escapes from the fridge into the rest of the store, meaning energy is wasted.

But Flick Williams told ITV News that, for her and other wheelchair users, the doors can severely impact their ability to shop independently.

Ms Williams said: "I live alone, I shop for myself and my 90-year-old mother who lives around the corner from me. I used to be able to do that completely independently, and now because of all these doors I simply can't.

"Opening the doors and manoeuvring, I simply don't have enough hands. You know, I need one on my controls, and then I'm opening the door with the other and then, you know, I've run out of arms."

She continued: "I would really like it to go back to the way it was, because it's making me dependant on other people in a way that I don't want to be, and in fact, don't need to be.

"People are quite literally running out of places where they can shop independently."

The new chiller doors are being installed to help supermarkets reach energy efficiency targets, with one store saying they save up to 40%.

But campaigners have highlighted several problems connected with the doors.

They include wheelchair users not being able to reach some of the door handles, the doors hitting wheelchairs, and the aisles becoming too narrow if two doors are open opposite each other.

They have also brought up difficulties faced by those who are visually impaired, reporting reflections on the doors can also make it hard for people to see through them.

Gwen Johnson, from the charity Independent Specialist Support and Care in Ashington, said: "A lot of people get a lot from going out into the community, they need to be part of the community, they need to be able to get into the shops.

"They need to be able to access their choices when they're in there, and if shops are reducing that factor, it's about freedom of choice, and that's not really fair, it's not fair."

Tom Holder, from the British Retail Consortium, said: "It's one of those key methods that will be needed in the bid to reach net zero by 2040 and indeed net zero on energy use by 2030.

"Doors are put in place as a fairly energy-efficient solution to try and keep that energy and make sure that we're not wasting energy every time we leave these fridges on."

Tesco said it would note feedback and keep changes under review.

Sainsbury's also said it is listening to customers as it tests the chillers.

While the Co-op said it is committed to balancing sustainability and accessibility and most of the chains highlighted having staff to assist but Flick says she and many others don't want to have to rely on help.

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