The press has caught wind of the situation at Next distribution centres, as has MP for the Hemsworth constituency.

Staff at the Emsall Way Next distribution centre, near Hemsworth West Yorkshire, bravely posted photographs on social media of their colleagues being forced to eat outside on the pavement. The catering company for the site announced on Sunday that they would be closing the staff canteen due to contamination concerns; so far there have been two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the building. Smoking shelter's were also closed. The result is workers being forced to take breaks outside the grounds or in their cars.

Those that posted on social media, risk their jobs in doing so, as Next has a strict policy on the mention of their company on employees personal accounts. However, this didn't stop them and now word is getting out; one post received hundreds of comments and shares. ITV's Calendar News even began filming the warehouse and staff of Emsall Way, prompting the company to threaten immediate dismissal of any team member who commented. 

The attention did not go unnoticed by the local MP Jon Trickett. Having served his constituents for over 20 years, Mr Trickett is passionate about the area and immediately wrote a letter of concern to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Mr Trickett made the opinions and comments of the nearby residents and employees of Next very clear, noting "a disregard for the health and safety of employees".

Other news reporters are now eager to inform the public of the situation occuring at Next and other similar dispatch warehouses. River Island has since ceased it's online trading and our hope is the remaining retailers who have deemed themselves "essential" will follow suite.

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