THE owner of the Premier Store on Alloa’s Medwyn Place has spoken out after a public plea to only use the shop for “essentials” was published on Facebook.

Jas Khaira was keen to clarify that while the purchase of non-essential items was generally discouraged, locals out to do smaller shops were still more than welcome in the store.

Indeed, he was thankful for all those customers who he said “keep us going” day in, day out.

It comes following a statement published on the Facebook page for Premier’s Lornshill Crescent and Medwyn Place branches on March 30.

The statement urged people to stop using the stores just to buy trivial items such as scratch cards and bars of chocolate.

It warned that if customer behaviour didn’t change, the shops would have to close.

Jas said: “The post was put on our page to [raise] awareness in our customers [about] our staff’s safety.”

The original statement alluded to this, pointing out staff felt “vulnerable with many customers thinking a £1 scratch card is worth their life and the lives of other customers”.

According to Jas, that remains the case and the safety of his staff is his top priority.

The original statement was simply a reminder to a minority of customers that every trip to the shop carries a risk during the Covid-19 pandemic.

So those customers are asked to consider the safety of those behind the till, and make sure their shopping trips are essential.