Marks & Spencer staff say they are working in fear due to shop's approach to coronavirus crisis

A source told the Tele that bosses at the store in Port Glasgow retail park are choosing not to limit the number of people allowed into the shop at any one time.

They say this has made it impossible for staff and customers to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

The whistleblower said that parts of the clothing and home section of the store have now reopened and told the Telegraph that this is actively encouraging people to browse.#

They also allege that protective equipment which has been provided is 'cheap and flimsy'.

It is also claimed that bosses have asked staff to help out at other stores in Scotland - and encouraged those who can't drive to car share.

Our source said: "It's maddening what they're doing.

"It started off with between 20 and 25 people in the store and now it's up to 40.

"Staff were ready to down tools last week.

"Staff can't get into the shelves because of all the people.

"They don't feel safe.

"It took them weeks to get screens for around the tills.

"They started off closing every second till but now they're all open again.

"They're trading as if things are completely normal - you see the same faces in the shop every day."

The insider told the Tele that when lockdown began at the end of March, staff were told that there would be no pay rises, no payouts from shares, no bonuses, and no buying of additional holidays.

Staff who are still working in the store and who have not been furloughed are now receiving a 15 per cent wage hike.

But the source added: "They just want to get trading and get the tills open.

"No one feels like they're being looked after.

"They're putting profit before health and safety."

Customers have also contacted the Tele to report their concerns.

One, who declined to be named, said: "I was rather concerned when I was able to just walk in to the store.

"Normally there was someone at the door letting one in as one left and you had to follow a route into the food area.

"They had a few clothes but not much and now there is far more clothing, which means more people hanging about looking at clothes and you have to pass them or they pass you.

"I was also concerned about the number of people in the food area and when I spoke to one of the staff they said it’s been worse than this."

A spokesperson for M&S told the Telegraph that the health and wellbeing of staff and customers 'always comes first'.

They added: "We have taken a number of steps including increasing cleaning throughout our stores and implementing the government’s recommended guidance on social distancing which starts with limiting the number of customers allowed in store at any one time.

"When customers arrive at our stores, including Port Glasgow, they will see a greeter who will manage the number of customers entering so that customers and colleagues can practice social distancing whilst shopping.

"Colleagues have had time built into their shifts so that they can leave the shop floor and wash their hands every half hour, as well as being able to keep hand sanitiser on them.

"We have also installed sneeze guards at our till points and have provided protective face shields for those who wish to wear one and these have been very well received by colleagues.

"Our colleagues in Port Glasgow are working hard to serve customers safely and as promptly as possible in our foodhall.

"The clothing and home departments are currently closed in line with government guidelines but customers can select from a small range of essential clothing items, such as underwear and baby clothes, while they queue.

"We are very grateful for the hard work of our colleagues who are helping to feed the nation in these challenging times and we’ve announced that our frontline colleagues across stores and supply chain who continue to work will receive an additional 15 per cent pay reward in recognition of the work they are doing."