CUSTOMERS were left stranded in Holsworthy’s Waitrose store car park on January 3, after one of the supermarket’s own lorries broke down across the only entrance into the premises.

The lorry became stuck at around 8am and left many shoppers unable to access or leave the store’s site.

One visitor, who was on his way to Cornwall for a holiday at the time, said he was left stuck in the car park with his four-year-old daughter for more than three hours after the lorry broke down blocking the exit.

At 11am he said: “Popped to Waitrose in Holsworthy at 8am. Have been stuck in the car park since then with a four year old. Because one of [Waitrose] lorries is blocking the exit. I’ve wasted over half a days holiday because of this.”

However, others praised Waitrose for their ‘care and attention’. One local who was also stuck in the car park said in a letter to Waitrose staff: “I wish to put on record my appreciation of your care and attention to those of us trapped in Waitrose last Thursday morning. Worse things have happened!

“Whilst in the car park, waiting to leave, we were told of the lorry driver’s misfortune. A partner came to tell us what had happened and suggested we could wait in the café to keep warm and have some tea or coffee and indeed snacks.

“We were offered phone calls and lifts to wherever we might need to be, as at that stage no one knew when the lorry would be mended or moved.

“I believed there were seven of us ‘trapped’ in the car park and we were kept fully informed of what was happening and when it was likely help would arrive.

“The exemplary care taken of your customers does you all proud.

“I also thank you for the bottle of wine which was totally unexpected and very much appreciated.”

A spokesperson for Waitrose & Partners said: “We’re very sorry for the inconvenience and offered all of the small number of customers who were parked in our car park at the time a taxi to any destination and back, refreshments and a gesture of goodwill. Customers coming to our store were able to park alongside our access road and we remained open as usual.”