AN accident waiting to happen.
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That's what people with disabilities and elderly shoppers have labelled the latest Mudgee Woolworths renovation, which has dramatically changed the layout and operation of the centre.
Disappointment has been directed at the removal of the customer entrance closest to Byron Place, which has given shoppers just one point to enter across from BWS liquor on the Mortimer Street side of the store.
In an email sent to the Mudgee Guardian, Ed DeLong who has led the protest against the change, explained the challenges people with disabilities face when they shop at Mudgee Woolworths.
"I am one of Mudgee's elderly residents for whom a physical disability makes ordinarily difficult activities even harder," he said.
"There are fewer parking spaces on Mortimer Street than in Byron Place, and particularly fewer accessible parking spaces, so it is more likely that the disabled will park in Byron Place and will find this new arrangement unfriendly as well as potentially dangerous."
Mr DeLong said for people who choose to park in Byron Place, they must make their way diagonally across the centre and down a sloping floor that runs in front of the Woolworths checkout section, a design that he believed to be a potential safety threat.
A Woolworths spokesperson said they took great pride in offering a positive experience and were disappointed to learn this has not been the case for all customers.
"We're aware of, and acknowledge, the community feedback and will review the designs to see how we can best address the concerns raised.
"We apologise for the inconvenience these changes have caused and will have an update we can share with the community shortly."
It's understood that the Woolworths Format and Operations teams will meet at Woolworths Mudgee next week to re-assess the current layout and work through alternative options.
It's also understood that Woolworths will reach out to Mr DeLong to better understand his concerns.
Mr DeLong addressed the Mid-Western Regional Council at their meeting on Wednesday, March 17 with a plea to pressure the supermarket into changing its new layout.
Councillors sympathised with Mr Delong however were unsure there was anything they could do, other than apply pressure to the supermarket to resolve the issue.
Councillor Russell Holden agreed that a forced resolution fell outside their power.
"We all agree with you but I'm not sure what we can do now that we're this far down the track. I can't imagine what it'd be like if you had a disability," he said.
Councillor Peter Shelley noted the community held economic sway on the matter, although he added Council staff would be asked to take a look at the issue.
"Should people vote with their feet and go back to Coles, or Woolies?"
Mudgee community group members on Facebook have echoed this idea and some have stated they have made the decision to no longer shop at Mudgee Woolworths as a result of the change.
