In May 2006, John Lewis plc accepted responsibility for a small spillage of diesel oil that was accidentally pumped into the River Kennet in July 2005 by our Reading branch; an offence under the provisions of the Water Resources Act 1991. At the time of the incident the shop, in conjunction with the Environment Agency and appropriate water cleansing contractors, responded immediately to minimise the pollution to the Kennet. The shop also initiated an extensive clean-up programme to make sure that the Kennet would not suffer any long-term impact as a result of the spillage.
This was the first conviction under any environmental legislation recorded against the Partnership in our 140 years of history.