Asda's Chesser branch locks a primary door to curb theft, but the move may burden older shoppers and those with limited mobility.
In the Chesser district of Edinburgh, the local Asda supercentre has taken the drastic step of sealing its “tower entrance” on New Mart Road. The decision, announced for 5 p.m. on Friday 25 September, follows a string of serious incidents that the retailer described as a rise in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.
A notice posted at the store’s front stated that the closure is intended to preserve a “safer and more secure shopping environment” for customers and staff alike.
Police Scotland data released earlier this year show that shop-theft reports across the city have climbed to 3.5 times their level, with 11,409 incidents recorded up to June 2026 – making it the most reported crime in Edinburgh.
This statistical backdrop gives weight to the management’s claim that the entrance shutdown is a necessary security measure rather than a routine operational tweak.
Community backlash over reduced access
Local residents quickly voiced alarm that the closure disproportionately affects lawful shoppers, especially the elderly and people with mobility challenges.
Long-time customer Tam Carr explained that the blocked pedestrian entrance forces users to navigate the entire store exterior before re-entering to reach the in-store post office. She said, “One entrance is more convenient for pedestrian traffic and the other is from the car park. The pedestrian access is the one they’re closing, meaning local residents, many who are elderly and use this entrance to access the Post Office, now have to walk the full length of the store on the outside and the full length of the store again inside to reach the Post Office counters.” Carr added that while the change may not trouble the fit and healthy, it does raise sympathy for older shoppers.
Neighbour Kevin Somerville echoed the sentiment, labeling the move a “win for troublemakers” and urging the retailer to invest in additional security personnel instead of limiting access. Regular patron Carl Jones described visible signs of theft, noting ripped-open boxes in the toy aisle and nightly receipt checks by security. He also mentioned that the adjoining McDonald’s has faced late-night disturbances, with its toilets often locked to deter loitering.
Political and corporate responses
Edinburgh South West MP Scott Arthur praised Asda for demonstrating a “strong sense of social responsibility” – citing the chain’s recent decision not to sell fireworks as a proactive step against anti-social behaviour. Nonetheless, Arthur acknowledged the store is confronting “unprecedented levels of shoplifting” and stressed that such crimes are far from victimless. He warned that persistent theft can jeopardise jobs, raise prices for shoppers, and create an atmosphere where staff and customers feel unsafe.
Arthur said he discussed the issue directly with police representatives and will continue to press for sufficient resources from the Scottish Government. He also noted that concerns raised on his community Facebook page about the entrance closure have been forwarded to Asda’s corporate team. While empathising with vulnerable patrons, the MP reaffirmed the retailer’s primary duty to safeguard both employees and shoppers from intimidation and threats.
Wider implications for Edinburgh’s retail landscape
The closure of the tower entrance reflects a growing trend among retailers across the city to re-evaluate store layouts in response to crime spikes. Although Asda claims the post office inside the premises will remain operational, the shift forces customers to use the main car-park entrance, potentially increasing foot traffic congestion and altering shopping patterns. Analysts suggest that if shoplifting continues unchecked, other stores may adopt similar access restrictions, reshaping the urban retail experience.
Stakeholders, including local authorities, law enforcement, and community groups, are now watching how Asda’s decision plays out. The balance between deterrence and accessibility remains delicate, and the outcome may set a precedent for future security strategies in Edinburgh’s high-street environment.
