“WHAT are you doing today?” asked my wife at breakfast.

“I’m going to Poundland,” I replied.

“Then what?” she inquired.

“Well, if the queues are as long as they usually are with just one assistant serving, there won’t be time for anything else,” I said. “So you had better give me sandwiches and a flask for lunch.”

Do Poundland in Cirencester actually care about their customers?

The man this Saturday morning, at 10am, having a cosy chat with a colleague, seemed completely oblivious to the queues that had grown, despite frantic calls from the solitary assistant battling with irate customers.

When I pointed out that there was a queue a mile long, he replied that he was sure there was not; then, seeing that I was right, changed his mind and took action.

Whilst we all appreciate Poundland’s competitive prices in this cut-throat economy, they may well like to consider the impact that waiting ages to be served actually has on people’s patience and time.

This is not a one-off episode: it is a far too regular a nightmare.

If you cannot cope, Poundland, employ more staff.

RICHARD LESTER

CIRENCESTER