'Freezing' home and garden store to get its heating fixed - after Evening News spoke up for staff

A ‘freezing’ home and garden store in the Capital is to repair its broken heating system after the Evening News turned the heat up on them.

On Saturday the Evening News exclusively reported that staff members at The Range at Milton Link in Edinburgh had been threatened with losing their jobs after they proposed a walk out due to the temperature conditions in store.

Staff members from the shop who wished to remain anonymous said that a number of workers were ‘more mature’ and had been ‘on the verge of passing out’.

The heating system in the shop which is ‘just in a huge metal warehouse’ has been broken for some time and must be fixed by Head Office.

One ex-staff member said: “I don’t see the situation getting any better, if minimum wage goes up it’s going to get worse - heating it going to be cut, staff budgets and payroll, general maintainance- the cut backs are putting staff’s health at risk.

“When I was there everyone was complaining that it was freezing, management were providing heaters but the employees health was definitely being put at risk by seniors to make cut backs.”

Staff members have now said that the area manager has been into store and ‘seems to finally be listening’.

Several employees told the Evening News that they appreciated the support shown from the public following the article.

Hundreds of readers expressed their shock and anger about the conditions.

Mary Hastie from Edinburgh commented: “My friend and I were in today and felt so sorry for the girl on the till who told us she had no heater under her till and was so cold she couldn’t even think straight.”

Donna Paterson from Edinburgh added: “Been in a few times over the last couple of weeks and it was baltic.

“The member of staff I spoke with had umpteen layers on and was still freezing.”

Kirstie Hainsworth from Edinburgh said: “I actually commented to the staff they it was colder in the store than outside!”

Despite being initially unwilling to comment on the situation, The Range have now responded.

A spokesperson for the store said: “The Range in Edinburgh has been provided with temporary heaters to use following the in-store heating system stopping working. These have been placed in key positions around the store.

“The works to repair the heating are a priority and will be actioned as soon as possible.

“We would like to apologise to our staff and customers for any discomfort caused during this time.”

The Range have not responded to questions regarding the suspended staff member.