Rita Seymour, 79, has been banned from Sainsbury’s and Argos stores across the UK following a number of incidents at her local branch in Hook, Hampshire, which she disputes
(Image: SWNS)
A great-grandmother who has been barred from every Sainsbury’s store across Britain has appealed to have the decision reversed – claiming her nearest alternative supermarket is ‘too far away’. Rita Seymour was told she was no longer permitted to shop at the chain following a “number of incidents over time” at her local branch in Hook, Hampshire.
However, the 79 year-old maintains she is “not that sort of person” and is calling for the ban to be lifted. She explains the Sainsbury’s close to her requires just a five-minute walk from her home, while her second choice, Tesco, involves a 20-minute journey.
Rita is a mum-of-one, grandmother-of-four and great-grandmother-of-two. She said: “I’m not interested in money. But, I live five minutes away from the shop, and I would like this ban lifted.”
The pensioner, who has been a Hook resident since 1981, explains she visits the nearby store once a week for her groceries. She typically spends somewhere between £80 and £100 on each trip.
During a visit earlier this month, Rita, who previously worked in customer services, reportedly found herself in a disagreement with a member of staff while trying to buy a EuroMillions ticket. Rita maintains she had to ask for a lottery ticket four times before the employee responded, reports the Mirror.
General view of Hook Sainsbury’s where Rita Seymour who was banned from for life from all Sainsbury’s stores.Hook, 25th June 2026 . // A great-grandmother banned from every Sainsbury’s in Britain has pleaded to be allowed back in – because her next nearest supermarket is ‘too far away’.Rita Seymour was told she was not welcome by the chain after a “number of incidents over time” at her local store in Hook, Hants.However, the 79-year-old claims she is “not that sort of person” and wants the ban to be lifted.She says the Sainsbury’s is a five-minute walk from her house – compared to a 20-minute walk to Tesco.
When she finally did, Rita claims the staff member accused her of being rude and called for management, who alleged she had been insulting towards staff and ‘pinching food’. Rita said: “She went to take a picture of me, and I pushed her camera out of her face.
“I said, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong here, you’re not taking pictures of me’. She was flinging her arms about.”
When Rita went back to the shop the next day, she alleges she was turned away at the entrance. She maintains she was also given a letter notifying her that she had been barred from Sainsbury’s and Argos outlets across the country.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We want everyone to feel welcome when they shop with us, and our colleagues work hard to create a positive in-store experience. We take any form of abusive and inappropriate behaviour seriously.
“Following a number of incidents over time, a decision was taken to withdraw this individual’s right to shop at our Hook store. This action was not taken lightly, but the safety and well-being of colleagues and customers always come first.”
Rita Seymour who was banned from for life from all Sainsbury’s stores.Hook, 25th June 2026 . // A great-grandmother banned from every Sainsbury’s in Britain has pleaded to be allowed back in – because her next nearest supermarket is ‘too far away’.Rita Seymour was told she was not welcome by the chain after a “number of incidents over time” at her local store in Hook, Hants.However, the 79-year-old claims she is “not that sort of person” and wants the ban to be lifted.She says the Sainsbury’s is a five-minute walk from her house – compared to a 20-minute walk to Tesco.
Rita, whose husband has a disability, categorically rejected claims that any prior incidents had occurred. She stated: “I’m not that sort of person, I never cause trouble, I never do any trouble – they’re saying it to get out of everything. I want to clear my name.”
What does it take for someone to get banned from a supermarket?
As supermarkets are privately owned premises, they possess the right to refuse service and bar individuals from entering their shops for virtually any reason, provided the prohibition doesn’t breach anti-discrimination legislation relating to protected characteristics. Common grounds for a ban can include theft, shoplifting, or attempting to exit without payment.
Furthermore, abusive, aggressive, or threatening behaviour towards staff or other shoppers can lead to a ban. Antisocial conduct, such as causing significant disturbances, interfering with goods, or damaging property, is also frequently cited as grounds for being banned.