Ian Winchester stuck in snow attempting to deliver groceries

PANIC buying at other stores in Sidmouth has led to an ‘artificial’ increase in custom at Winchester’s greengrocers in High Street.

Following Sunday night’s snowstorm, leaving roads into Sidmouth blocked, as well as residents unable to get their cars out of their drives, Nigel Winchester told the Sidmouth Herald on Tuesday: “In Tesco everyone was panic buying and it ran out of meat, milk, bread and fruit and veg.

“We were then artificially busy. You don’t expect it to be mad until the Wednesday before Christmas. Now I have to make a trip to Bristol to re-stock. I will be taking shovels and sand to get out of any ruts.”

The family business has had three vehicles that it delivers groceries to customers in, stuck after the weekend snow.

Ian Winchester was pictured being helped by carpenter Adam Baker and others after his van skidded on Peak Hill on Saturday, while another vehicle got stuck across Cotmaton Road and seven had to help move the lorry after it was straddled across Cotmaton Road.

“Ed Rhodes helped with his tractor,” said Nigel. “He has towed lorries everywhere and helped to clear Waitrose car park. It is a nightmare.

“We are walking to deliver to local restaurants and nursing homes, and asking places like Holmesley Nursing Home and the Salty Monk to pick up because the council is not salting subsidiary roads.”