Just days after they decided to change their charity strategy, Asda performed a u-turn on a national level leaving the North Ayrshire Foodbank relieved

The move, which badly affected the North Ayrshire Foodbank, shocked local communities – but pressure from customers and Asda colleagues has seen it cancelled.

In a statement released, an Asda spokesperson said: “As a retailer who is committed to supporting our local communities we never intended to stop food banks or similar local charities collecting in our stores.

“We made some changes to our community programme around unmanned collections in the belief that this would benefit the many local good causes who collect in our stores.

“On this occasion our customers and colleagues have told us they understand our intentions, but prefer us to continue to give charities more options to maximise donations. We are therefore reinstating unmanned collection points.

“Asda plays an important role in the communities we serve and we look forward to continuing to support many more local charities and good causes.”

For clarification, some of the fantastic work our community colleagues support includes: - In store unmanned collection points - Volunteer led in-store fundraising events - Chosen by You green token scheme - Dedicated colleagues who volunteer in their local communities.

Craig Crosthwaite, organiser of the North Ayrshire Foodbank, said: “North Ayrshire Foodbank thanks everybody who has contributed to this change of policy by stating their views – as the article states that was shoppers and Asda colleagues.

“We are delighted that Asda management have responded so quickly to the feedback they received in relation to this particular policy and have taken the decision to reinstate the drop-bins having heard how important they are as well as popular.

Craig Crosthwaite from North Ayrshire Foodbank

“Asda Ardrossan, as we said last week, have been a brilliant source of support both from colleagues and shoppers. We look forward to this continuing to be the case as we work in partnership to address the ongoing needs of those with a short-term food crisis.

“I am sure my colleagues from across the charitable sector will be heaving a collective sigh of relief. We know the business sector is faced with pressures from within to satisfy so many quarters – colleagues, competition, customers and share holders.

“Unlike business we cannot go to the market place to be capitalised – simply because we have nothing to return to those who invest other than feelgood stories, social capital.

“The Foodbank is capitalised through support it can garner from any source it can and in this case it is Asda’s shoppers. Thus we are vulnerable when any avenue closes down. This is why we truly thank each and every supermarket who join us locally, or nationally via the Trussell Trust, to stand together in our desire to ensure nobody has to face a period of food deprivation.”