A major supermarket has confirmed it will not deliver to certain Isle of Wight postcodes amid fears for its drivers’ safety after a landslide two months ago.

Rumours initially sparked on social media that Tesco had stopped delivering to specific areas of Ventnor after customers had repeatedly attempted to book slots to no avail.

UPDATE: Tesco has resumed booking for Ventnor customers

Ventnor, which is home to just over 5,000 people according to the latest UK census, does not boast its own grocery supermarket, unlike many other Island towns.

Instead, the town has three small Co-op, Premier and Tesco Express convenience stores, making supermarket delivery very popular.

Isle of Wight County Press: The December 2023 Bonchurch landslip from the air The December 2023 Bonchurch landslip from the air (Image: Kyle Tremlett)

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Tesco customers have been reaching out to the supermarket giant for clarification concerning Ventnor deliveries, with mixed messages being sent out in response, leaving many feeling frustrated. 

Tesco customer services told one customer: "Home delivery slots are currently unavailable due to a landslide in the area that happened in December where we currently do not have a timescale as to when slots will be available to book again.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused."

Another customer was told: "I have checked with my support team and they've advised that due to a landslide in the area which was totally out of our control we've had to block certain postcodes for driver safety but these are slowly being reopened."

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Speaking to the County Press, one disgruntled customer said: "It is totally ridiculous. It is two months since the landslide and Tesco has suddenly decided to withdraw home deliveries from the entire town without informing its customers first.

"There are mixed messages about whether or not the service will resume."

Some customers have paid for Tesco’s delivery saver guarantee, paid for monthly or annually.

The delivery saver guarantee aims to ensure customers are not 'left out of pocket' by calculating whether the delivery saver plan worked out cheaper than paying for normal delivery. If it works out more expensive, Tesco provides the customer with a grocery eCoupon for the difference.

Tesco customer services said: "With our deliver saver guarantee, if you do not benefit from the plan across the entire term, then you will receive a delivery saver guarantee coupon for any value they have missed out on."

The nearest click-and-collect for Ventnor residents is the Ryde superstore on Brading Road.

The County Press has contacted Tesco press office for a response and clarification.