A new image from inside Matalan's Merseyside warehouse appearing to show staff crammed into a corridor has emerged, leading to fresh fears over social distancing procedures at the site.
BusinessLive has been told the image shows staff waiting to use the "clocking in machine" - with new social distancing rules laid out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in recent days to prevent the spread of coronavirus appearing to be ignored.
It's believed to have been taken since Tuesday, when another image revealed staff .
On that occasion, Matalan described the picture as "concerning", adding that it had "a number of precautions in place” including social distancing rules, regular breaks for handwashing and increased cleaning for staff.
While all non-essential shops have been forced to close under strict new measures announced on Monday, there are currently no requirements for distribution and online operations to stop.
There are, however, rules about social distancing, including extra handwashing and keeping a 2m distance at all times, as well as working from home where possible for those firms.
One employee said it was "almost impossible" to keep the 2m distance, also claiming that hand gel dispensers were not being refilled.
He said he was "appalled" at the situation and added: "Matalan is not an essential business; the job role of Matalan employees is not on the key worker list."
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BusinessLive's sister title the Liverpool Echo has received in recent days about companies from around the North West.
Matalan has said the safety and welfare of staff "remains our absolute priority".
Since Sunday, when the Government guidelines were updated and tightened further, the company said it had taken extra precautions that include suspending usual check-in and check-out processes, security checks and collective team briefings, and expanding the areas available for staff to take their breaks - which are now staggered.
A full statement from Matalan said: “Along with the whole of the retail industry, we currently find ourselves in a new world, whereby, following Government instruction, we are operating online-only to serve our customers.
"However, the safety and welfare of our colleagues remains our absolute priority. Over the past few days, we have introduced significant measures to protect our employees who continue to work in our Distribution Centres. We are confident that the steps we have taken go above and beyond all guidance provided to date by the Government and Public Health England.
"We are monitoring the unfolding situation extremely closely and await further guidance from the government.”
GMB, the union responsible for many workers at the warehouse, called the reports and images "worrying", describing conditions as "cramped and overcrowded".
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The union's regional organiser, Shaun Buckley, said: "I have been inundated with emails and phone calls from worried GMB members who are in a state of panic that Matalan bosses are putting workers and their families' lives at risk.
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"Such blatant disregard for member’s welfare and Government rules must not be allowed to continue. We need urgent action from the government to stop employers flaunting the rules. I want to reassure members that GMB is using every available means to force Matalan to do the right thing."
Last night, Liverpool's City Mayor Joe Anderson also made his feelings known on Twitter, when he slammed companies who he said were "flouting coronavirus rules", adding that he was "absolutely appalled".
His and Matalan.
On the latter, he said: "Matalan get this sorted or you will be forced to close down, you are clearly in breach of Site Operating Procedures on #COVID19.
"Your workforce and their families need to be treated safely. Trading Standards will be used to enforce using every available means to force Matalan to do the right thing.”
On Wednesday evening, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said he was "very concerned" by some of the images coming out of the Knowsley warehouse.
He said: "My message to them is simple: you have a duty to protect your workforce during this crisis – profits should not come before people."
Matalan said the firm would welcome a conversation with the Metro Mayor.