THE CONTINUED refusal by retail chain Lidl to discuss what politicians described as an “irresponsible” cut-price fireworks promotion in their Dundee stores has been roundly criticised by Dundee East MSP Shona Robison.

Earlier this week The Courier told of Ms Robison and local councillor Joe FitzPatrick’s concerns about the promotion, condemning it as reckless and contrary to the voluntary code drawn up by the local authority, under which retailers have not been stocking fireworks in a bid to prevent the weeks of dangerous and disturbing incidents seen in the past in the lead up to November 5.

The Courier contacted Lidl’s head office at least three times this week to invite them to comment on their policy regarding the sale of fireworks.

However on each occasion the firm’s telephone operators said they would not put the reporter’s call through to the Press office, nor would they give out a number for the Press office.

They took the reporter’s details and the nature of the query and said they would pass the message on to the Press office and to wait for a reply.

No acknowledgement of the query or comment had been forthcoming up to last night.

“I find that attitude bizarre, but not altogether unsurprising,” Ms Robison claimed last night.

“I am still getting letters and calls from constituents—many of them Lidl customers—who are worried about this promotion.

“I have repeatedly asked Lidl for the name of someone to write to and initiate a discussion about the matter, but without success.

“Eventually I sent a letter to their head office marked to whom it may concern, but have had nothing back yet.

“I can’t understand why such a large organisation will not allow a reporter to speak to their Press office direct.

“Such refusal to communicate or enter into a dialogue does nothing to improve Lidl’s standing and simply makes the situation worse.”

Lidl is the fastest growing retail company in Europe and is owned by German entrepreneur Dieter Schwarz.