A Midlothian Aldi store has come under fire from locals, including a councillor, for reportedly refusing to sell a group of teenagers water as temperatures exceeded 24C.
The store, in Dalkeith, allegedly refused a group of high school children bottles of water while they were out playing football on Friday, due to a 'blanket ban' on large groups of youths at peak times.
After a local mum hit out on social media, SNP councillor Kelly Parry tweeted Aldi to ask them to review their rules regarding teenagers, saying turning kids away for buying water seems 'harsh'.
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She said: "Please can you review your rule in your Dalkeith, Midlothian store not to serve under 16s. Especially in this hot weather, turning kids away simply wanting to buy a bottle of water seems harsh. Thank you."
Aldi on Twitter responded: "We are really sorry to hear this. We have passed your comments along to our store operations team to review with our store."
Speaking further on the issue, councillor Parry added: "As a parent myself I was really disappointed to hear the countless stories of kids playing football at nearby pitches and being denied water.
"The store is very near a school, and I appreciate Aldi might want to limit the number of young people in store at a certain time, but an outright ban seems over the top. Temperatures have been very high, and kids have been begging passers by to purchase juice and water for them.
"The community campaigned hard to get this store, so I hope Aldi will listen to the community and find a balanced and sensible way forward."
Aldi were approached for comment.
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