March 31, 2021 2.05 pm
This story is over 15 months old
Lincolnshire shop roasts customers: “Treat your masks like your knickers”
Some kept wearing their masks incorrectly
The quirky message advising customers about wearing masks correctly was put up in the window at Stamford Animal and Pet Supplies in Spalding. | Photo: Stephen Daniels
A staff member at a pet supply shop in Spalding was getting fed up with some customers not wearing their masks properly, so they put up a note in the window telling people to “treat your masks like your knickers or pants”.
Stamford Animal and Pet Supplies has stores in Spalding, Stamford and Oakham. The Spalding store has been on Westlode Street for around 20 years and sales assistant Nicky Killon used her weird sense of humour to try and make her point.
The note was put in the window during lockdown last year, but the shop has remained open the whole time as it is classed as essential.
It reads “Treat your masks like your knickers or pants” with the following six bullet points:
Do not touch or adjust (especially in public)
Make sure the fit is tight and comfortable
Do not borrow or lend
Make sure it is clean
If it’s damp – change it
Don’t go commando
Nicky, who has worked at the shop for eight years, told The Lincolnite: “I was getting fed up with people not having their masks on right.
“I have a weird sense of humour and thought it was funny and every other customer comments on it. It has had lots of reaction, nobody has complained.
“A lot of people found it funny and have taken photos.
“I have done quirky things before like selling melted snowmen with a carrot in a bucket.”
The Spalding branch of Stamford Animal and Pet Supplies will close permanently on May 22, 2021. | Photo: Stephen Daniels
The shop will be closing permanently on May 22 this year due to a downturn in trade and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the stores in Stamford and Oakham will remain open.
Two of the staff, including Nicky, accepted voluntary redundancy and another is relocating to the Oakham shop.
Nicky added: “It feels like the end of an era.”
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.