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rats - Barbara Easton (10th Aug 2007 - 10:48:58) yesterday I was walking through to Sainsburys from the Parish Office, and a rat popped up from Sainsburys premises and ran alongside the wall of their building, does anyone work there who is aware of this problem? Why is therer not efficient vermin control in such a large food shop? Ps I am not making this up to destroy their trade!

Re: rats - J (10th Aug 2007 - 12:05:18) Why did you feel the need to post the problem here instead of going into store to make them aware of the problem?

Re: rats - Barbara Easton (10th Aug 2007 - 12:28:15) I did not make a complaint at the time because it was after 5pm when the Manager would have gone home. I did not have time to wait while the part time school assistants thought about what to do. Do other people think I should also phone the environmental health people? They cannot use poison presumably? Have other people seen rats there? It would add more weight to the complaint if they had! I will complain ,but I want to find the right person to complain to, or at least the manager's name if I complain in writing.

Re: rats - sue (10th Aug 2007 - 12:41:25) Barbara isn't the first here to post about rats. Station Road and the Station has already been linked with rats and people living on the Portsmouth road have told us they have rats too. In fact rats are everywhere. try not to be so sensitive. I saw two rats by the carpark behind HSBC - but I wouldn't think for one moment it had anything to do with the Dragon!! There was a post about 'Super rat' - so Rolland is everywhere, perhaps we should have some professional help in Liphook to destroy the little beasties.

Re: rats - Barbara Easton (10th Aug 2007 - 13:04:38) if a private caterer was inspected after a complaint of seeing rats around the premises that business would be immediately shut down. Rats carry nasty diseases which can be passed on to humans. A member of my family caught an associated diesease similar to weils disease which is passed on by rats, and he was ill for two years and unable to work. If the rat had bitten me as I was technically on Sainsburys premises, do you not then think it is a serious problem? Shop premises include the immediate outside areas too, perhaps we should be made more aware of where in LIphook they are and if it is near a commercial/public place the owners pursuaded to take it seriously.

Re: rats - JM (10th Aug 2007 - 13:15:47) Barbara, Do you think its possible that this 'rat' was an animagnus who was from somewhere nearby? [editor - due to the small number of entries on google for animagnus - I assume this to be a typo - but I can't think what it should be !]

Re: rats - Barbara Easton (10th Aug 2007 - 13:30:15) It is from Harry Potter- obviously people in Liphook do not think rats in a big food shop should be taken seriously!

Re: rats - JM (10th Aug 2007 - 13:31:38) To all out there who don't know what an Animagnus is - read Harry Potter!!! [editor - google search for animagnus only 654 results - odd if it the correct spelling UPDATE - you both need glasses the word is Animagus]

Re: rats - JM (10th Aug 2007 - 14:04:07) Sorry for the typo! In all seriousness 'hello we live in a rural community with fields all around, do you not think that rats family has a right to be here' in fact he/shes family may have been a resident far longer some of us!

Re: rats - barbara (10th Aug 2007 - 15:09:21) whichever way it is spelt, I didnt actually spell anything, it is a made up word after all for a childrens book, It appears that no one thinks that rats in a supermarket is anything to complain about. Given some of the things I have read on here that people are concerned about, it suprises me!

Re: rats - liz (10th Aug 2007 - 15:39:23) I don't think this one is too difficult - even for Harry Potter fans. (No, don't get up in arms I'm only joking). Rats in the fields and rivers - no problem. Rats around a foodstore or even your house - a potentially serious problem. Babara, you should tell the manager at Sainsburys as soon as possible and if you don't get a positive response (although I'm sure you will) then try the Health & Safety exec.

Re: rats - j (10th Aug 2007 - 15:43:58) Barbara, The manager's name is Lynn Jordon They also have around three assistant mangers in-store when Lynn is not present that are in-store until the store shuts. Reporting the rats to EHO seems a tad harsh seen as you have not even informed the store what you saw I would be very surprised to see them close something down with out them giving the store a chance to fix the problem to which if they know nothing about it how can they fix it? I thought you aim was not to destroy trade for them? (making statements that claim their staff to be part-time school assistants is not very pleasant either really is it?) Hopefully this was something you meant and will get in touch with Lynn ASAP so she can fix the problem.

Re: rats - Barbara Easton (10th Aug 2007 - 17:16:50) I am sorry if I appeared rude to Sainsburys staff, that was not my intention! I have not done anything yet,obviously I would not immediately call the EHO although I know people who would! I was trying to make the point that sometimes after 5 the manager isnt there and part time staff may not report to the top manager anyway! I have been served by the part time school staff and they had to call a supervisor when they did not recognise what an english vegetable was once,at the checkout, so I just meant that I didn't have much time yesterday to deal with someone who I could not be sure was going to do something, thats all! PS people have said far worse things about me on this website!

Re: rats - anon (10th Aug 2007 - 17:44:36) Barbara, "part time school staff not recognising vegetables"....please do not tar us all with the same brush...we are not all thick and many of us would love to have some high flying career but with children a job in a supermarket fits nicely into the daily routine. We do not chose to subject ourselves on a daily basis to rude and arrogant customers who think of us as nothing more than geriatric school leavers. I do believe the store manager has a life outside sainsburys so obviously can't deal with any issues arising after clocking off time. I am not a Sainsburys employee but do work in retail. Sorry for the rant but I felt as I have friends who work in Sainsburys,they would feel disheartened with your comments anon

Re: rats - j (10th Aug 2007 - 18:38:22) Barbara, I understand that time is precious what I was trying to say was instead of posting here there were many other ways with dealing with it such as by phone, E-mail or a letter or even contacting head office in case you were worried the message would not go through. your comments regarding EHO came across as that you were wanting to get them involved at such an early stage which you have now explained that was not the case Hopefully the information I gave you will be some help. As for other people not saying nice things about you, rise above it you do not need to sink their level and do the same whats the point in that? This has been said so many times but this is meant to be a place to share views not a play ground. Best regards,

Re: rats - S (11th Aug 2007 - 11:40:33) How strange I saw a whole group of rats outside Sainsburys the other evening. Some had boyed up cars, others bikes but all loitering around and annoying people. :-)

Re: rats - ellen (12th Aug 2007 - 10:33:34) Very good enjoyed that one!!

Re: rats - sue (12th Aug 2007 - 10:59:26) Barbara, Just been catching up on this site, and somehow I feel that you perhaps thought I was telling you not to be too sensative. Not the case at all (i should have addressed it to the post after your original one). I think you are and so is anyone else perfectly entitled to point out here the problem of rats that effects us all. I will also state that seeing an odd rat outside a business/private property is in no way a reflection on the people within, but if regular sightings are recorded then there would/should be cause for concern!

Re: rats - liz (13th Aug 2007 - 09:23:04) Perhaps the fear of a response as from 'anon' is the sort of attitude that made Barbara reluctant to mention the incident to anyone but the manager. I read recently of some hapless holidaymaker who dared to complain about the conditions of a hotel and the hotel subsequently complained to the tour operators about his complaint! It does seem that if you dare make any mention that something isn't 100% at Sainsbury's then you are immediately at fault, not the store.

Re: rats - katy (13th Aug 2007 - 11:10:04) Hi Barbara Ratty has been living between Sainsburys and the council office for months. He can quite often be spotted in the bushes at the side of the council office/toilet block. Don't think he is likely to bite you as he always runs for cover if he hears humans! Sainsburys could be advised but also the Parish Council as he no doubt frequents their land too. Personally I am more concerned that the lights outside Sainsburys and down the steps to the Midhurst Road have been out of action for more than 3 years. Ok in summer but a death trap in Winter as it is pitch black after sunset. That's more scary than ratty scuttling by. A muggers paradise and tripping hazard too. Get ready for the litigation claims this winter.........................

Re: rats - Allan (13th Aug 2007 - 16:11:19) Hi Barbara, Like it or not ratty rat is one of natures hardiest and most enduring species. World wide big business has thrown billions into research to control and eradicate their presence in human society, but, everytime a new form of rodenticide is developed Roland just seems to adapt and over a period of rat generations, become immune to whatever is chucked at him. So, I'm afraid, that you really do need to take a more practical attitude to them ( if for no other reason than to prevent yourself becoming too stressed about them ) 'cos they are not going to go away. Why don't you drop a line to Sainsbury's re what you saw, I bet they will be on to their pest control people sharpish. Finally, EHO's will not close a food business down because of rats outside a premises ; that would hardly be fair, would it ?. But they are more than happy to impose sanctions if bad storage or waste practices are evident leading to an infestation problem, which is fair. Now, I'm not their biggest fan, but I have not seen any evidence of that. Am I wrong?

Re: rats - G moreton (13th Aug 2007 - 16:42:39) A little known fact, but if my memory serves my correctly a rat can carry up to 9 different strains of parasite and a pigeon can carry up to 11. Forgiving the pun but “food for thought”

Re: rats - Mike Grimes (14th Aug 2007 - 00:36:14) Sorry G. I can't forgive the pun as I didn't spot it. However, your observation about pigeons may apply to the ferral variety in urban settings rather than the white knecked wood pigeon that you might observe round here. Moreover, the parasites you refer to sound more threatening to the pigeon (or rat) than to me (or you). Cheers, Mike

Re: rats - Barbara Easton (14th Aug 2007 - 16:34:09) Thanks for all the postings - I think you have misunderstood when I said School Staff - I did not mean adults I meant only 16-19 staff who went to school/college, and then work after school/college before they do their homework. Obviously I make some allowance for being young, but did feel some training on the produce dept would be beneficial rather than creating a queue. As to Ratty, There must be more than one!

Re: rats - Roland (15th Aug 2007 - 00:24:24) Ms Easton, As I understand it you are now a parish councillor. Given your second post on this thread ,can we be less than assured that you are not so much a leader than a pleader. Surely if you wish to serve the community as you have committed yourself to do you could adopt a more managerial attitude rather than that which you have demonstrated in your postings. I do not wish to question your concern or sincerity, but, you come across as ill-informed to say the least

Re: rats - liz (15th Aug 2007 - 09:12:08) Mr Roland In what respect does Barbara appear ill informed to you?

Re: rats - Chris (15th Aug 2007 - 15:12:40) The post originated as a comment that Sainsburies has rats scurrying around its environs. Anyone from Sainsburys reading this should be concerned. Anyone responsible from Sainsburys would be trying to sort the rat problem out! Rats congregate in areas where there is rubbish and muck as well as punting aimlessly down make-believe rivers whistling. If Sainsburys has rats, we want to hear about it! A sincere thank-you to Barbara for bringing it to our attention.

Re: rats - j (15th Aug 2007 - 16:38:31) Chris, Barbara clearly stated that she did not inform the management team in store about the sighting of a rat. Give sainsburys the chance to be responsible and I am sure they will if they have not already, fix the problem! why should they have to read it here first? This just seems yet another cheep dig at sainsburrys give the guys a break its becoming really boring now. J

Re: rats - liz (15th Aug 2007 - 17:03:22) The 'guys' don't need a break. Sainsbury's is a multi-million pound organisation which needs to get its act together. - Just basic stuff like keeping the aisles stocked with veg would be good. - I don't know if its a local management problem or is further down the supply chain but it does need sorting out.

Re: rats - Sue (16th Aug 2007 - 09:52:26) 'J' I do not think anyone here is out to damage Sainsburys in any way. I for one would have more reason than most, but I read Barbara's post as information to the Public rather than to have a dig at the Store. I am sure the Sainsburys organisation is more than upto the task of sorting it out, after all they have far worse hygine issues (according to the recent tv programme!). This subject is not a cheap pop at anyone!! Your response has been rather OTT.

Re: rats - Barbara Easton (17th Aug 2007 - 10:41:35) thanks for the messages of support- I thought I could bring it to peoples attention- one of the reasons for the rats as you say is probably rubbish and cleanliness issues but I am not forgetting it was after heavy rain when the sewers underneath were overflowing so that is why we have to be vigilant and aware of the issues, just because I do not post all my knowledge on a web page does not mean I am ill informed, I merely avoided the rat running over my foot by a whisker, pardon the pun- I am not an intellectual never claimed to be one- I did not realise that was the minimum level entry requirement for being a parish counilllor. I care about the place in which I live and its environs, that is why I put myself forward to the Parish council- it is always surprising how few people in liphook actually come to listen to the meetings which are always open to the public, there is one this Monday Eight PM on planning issues see you there!

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