SKIPTON Morrisons has said it wants to show people it is a supermarket that listens to its customers after it agreed to re-install some of the tills it had taken out last month.

The original reconfiguration of the checkouts was met with an outcry from many regular shoppers when they discovered the bank of manned tills was reduced from 12 to eight, meaning half the 16 checkouts were self service.

Several people continued to queue at the manned tills and refused to use the self-service options saying they were not adequate for large trolleys full of shopping which made it difficult to scan a lot of items. Another said she had tried to use the self-service from her wheelchair and couldn’t so had left her shopping and gone to another supermarket in town.

Others said they preferred to have a choice and resisted having to adapt to technology. Others said they were going to shop elsewhere while some feared the move would prompt staff redundancies.

The re-fit also prompted a letter from resident Josh Horne who accused Morrisons of treating its customers 'with disdain'.

However, the store has now proved it listens to people's views and after realising how much Skipton customers preferred to have their shopping scanned by staff, decided it was prudent to perform a U-turn and meet its customers half way.

This last weekend store manager James Lever oversaw the work to put four of them back into store and they were ready for operation on Sunday and judging by the response on social media, people were happy they were being returned.

Bosses at the Morrisons store have also said that as an extra apology, they are offering shoppers a money-off voucher, printed alongside this story in this week;s Craven Herald, which readers can cut out and take along on their next shop.

Mr Lever said: "Thank you to our customers who shared valuable feedback on the new self checkouts that we put in place at the Morrisons Skipton store. After listening to your feedback, we decided to reinstate an additional four manned checkouts. We also wanted to offer a '£3 off your next £30 shop' coupon, which you can use next time you're in store."

Morrisons, which was founded in 1899 by William Morrison, is headquartered in Bradford and has said in the past how much it prides itself on its community spirit.

Despite a takeover by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in 2021, Morrisons continues to have a dedicated community champion who regularly supports local charities and events.