THE managing director of a city school uniform shop has 'blamed international shipping delays caused by Covid', as the key reason parents are again experiencing difficulty getting school uniform this year.

We previously reported on the queues outside School Togs Schoolwear by Monkhouse, in Worcester City centre in recent days, with parents concerned as their orders have yet to arrive ahead of schools reopening in the coming days.

Peter Monkhouse. managing director of Monkhouse, said: "We fully appreciate and share parents’ concern over receiving school uniforms in time for the start of school, but like many other businesses in the UK, our stock supplies are being affected by international shipping delays caused by Covid.

"Although we ordered stock earlier than ever to try and combat Covid complications, these shipping delays mean we are still waiting to receive a small amount of our stock and we sincerely apologise for the frustration this is causing.

"We have also been impacted like many other businesses with labour shortages and the pingdemic which has impacted our workforce and capacity.

"We have been in close contact with schools that are affected since April to keep them fully aware of these challenges that are affecting uniform supplies.

"We also want to thank all those families who booked 1-2-1 appointments with us to help beat the back to school rush. This has been a huge success and we’ve held around 5,000 personal appointments this year in Worcester to help get families ready for school and we are continuing to do all we can to get these final pieces out to families as soon as possible.”

Since our article on the issues a number of other parents have come forward to say they are having issues.

Lisa Manton said: "We have been waiting six weeks for a blazer and a skirt. Can't get through to anyone on the phone, they don't answer emails but they have taken my money and I have no goods."

James Robert said: "School togs let everyone down again, after waiting three months went in person to be told “we sold the last in that size this morning” - what about the one on back order, usual drivel if you email, it’s the pandemic etc."

John Hill added: "Took six months for a pair of school shorts, absolute joke."