Shops criticised for open-door policy

Shops in a British town have been criticised for failing to consider the environmental costs of leaving their doors open during opening hours.

Local residents and councillors in Richmond, London, have complained about numerous stores in the borough turning their heating on and then leaving their doors ajar, the Richmond and Twickenham Times reported.

A local politician told the newspaper that he believed the refusal of shops to shut their doors was a sign of their commitment to energy efficiency.

"It's a crazy waste and indicates to me whether a shop 'gets' climate change or not," said Richmond Green Party representative James Page. "Only on Saturday I asked staff at Robert Dyas about it, and was told that people might think they were shut if the door wasn't propped open."

Local councillor Martin Elengorn added: "I would urge businesses to make a New Year resolution to cut their energy consumption in 2008 by taking simple steps like shutting doors and switching lights off."

Last November the British Retail Consortium announced plans to work with government to ensure an increased availability of energy efficient products on shop shelves. ADNFCR-1231-ID-18417843-ADNFCR