A West Lothian woman was left angered after she visited an Edinburgh Costa establishment where she claimed the coronavirus protocols implemented by the Scottish Government were not being followed.
Sharon, 48, from West Lothian, was in the capital for a car-related appointment when she stopped in at the Hermiston Gait location of the Costa Coffee chain.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Sharon said: "I popped in for a coffee and a wee pastry while I waited for the return of my car, and from the beginning the experience wasn't great.
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"There was no hand sanitiser at any point of the store, and although I always carry my own, I am sure it's a necessity for every store to have hygiene points as well.
"I was served by a woman at the counter who asked if I was sitting in, to which I responded yes and I noticed her mask was under her nose. I left it as she was behind perspex, but I also noted that.
"I then got my food and sat at a table far away from everyone, but not far from two workers who looked to be on their break.
"One of the workers came over and told me as soon as I sat down, that I could not sit there due to covid rules.
"I understood that and asked where else I could sit, as a lot of the chairs had been cable tied together for some reason? Like, I know there is a social distancing rule in place, but surely cable tying six or seven tables together isn't needed?
"I then was approached by the person who served me, who abruptly told me all she could do was offer me a refund or put my drink into a takeaway cup. She still wasn't wearing her mask right, as were the other two workers much the same.
"I asked why and she just said ' Well, it's covid, we don't have any other seating?' which I felt was ironic given the severe lack of other covid protocols.
"I told her this, and she just shrugged her shoulders, and didn't move her mask an inch, so I just told her to leave it and I would take my business elsewhere.
"I understand the masks can be uncomfortable and annoying, but they are there for a reason, and the lack of hand sanitiser is also worrisome.
"It is just the level of inconsistency of the protocols in place in the store, and I was made to feel like an utter criminal for sitting down."
In a response to Sharon's complaint she sent to the customer service team, Costa sincerely apologised, and noted that they had passed on the comments to the area manager.
A Costa Coffee spokesperson said: “The safety of our customers and team members is our number one priority.
"Our stores continue to operate in line with Scottish Government guidelines, including hand-sanitiser stations, enhanced cleaning processes, and implementing social distancing – which means stores may have reduced seating capacity.
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”
