People were boycotting Waitrose, allegedly.

It wasn’t over the cost of a tin of beans or a controversial Christmas advert but over the use of self-checkouts. For some it’s hard to imagine life without them, for others – they’re to be avoided at all costs.

Back in August, when Waitrose in Paddock Wood added an additional self-scan till, many took to Facebook in support of a self-scan boycott.

The supermarket giant claims the installation was to serve the increasing number of people choosing to use unmanned tills.

It currently has four traditional checkouts for those who want a personalised service, but has installed the new till due to popular demand.

And indeed - other stores have also expanded their self-checkout offering.

In September last year, Aldi in Herne Bay divided opinion after revealing it would shut for almost a week to make half of its tills self-service.

Fast forward 12 months and controversy has continued to surround self-checkout installation.

Just last month, Sheerness Tesco in Bridge Road faced backlash after bosses decided to go card-only and introduce electronic kiosks.

So, although the technology was first introduced in America in the 1980s, it’s clear it is still met with scepticism today.

Lee Boswell, from Mereworth, actively avoids self-checkouts saying: “I want to keep people in jobs”.

The 48-year-old driving instructor said: “I’m boycotting the self-checkouts - currently it seems there are more self-checkouts than staffed tills.”

And Lee is not alone, many shoppers in Strood told KentOnline of their reluctance to use them

Daphne Hanson, 83, said she always goes to a manned checkout if it’s available.

The retired admin worker from Lordswood, said: “Technology is taking over everything now and the older you get the worse it is.

“I hate self-checkouts, there are lots of snags, and I don’t like the whole idea of them.”

Meanwhile, others like Philip Whately tend to “avoid” the self-scan area and opt for the staff-manned till instead.

He said: “They’re a good thing if you’ve got a small amount but the problem that you have with them is you quite often have to call someone over because of various items that have to be approved.”

Married couple Anne and Paul from Rochester, who did not wish to share their last name, said: “Lately I’ve been going for the self-checkout because in some supermarkets there hasn’t been anyone on the cashier side.

“I think it’s very sad not to have any cashiers and it doesn’t help people who have problems with the technology and do want the social interaction from it.”

While UK supermarkets look to offer more self-checkouts, those abroad are taking a different approach - aware of just how important social interaction while shopping can be.

In 2019, Dutch supermarket operator Jumbo introduced a “chat checkout” option in 100 stores.

It was prompted by a government campaign to fight loneliness and allow customers time to interact with staff on checkout tills – and was a great success.

A charity which aims to reduce loneliness in later life, Re-engage, says that while trips to the supermarket are part of normal life for many people, for those feeling isolated “it can be as invigorating as a holiday”.

Re-engage CEO, Jenny Willott said: “Just exchanging a few words at the till can be vital for someone who knows they are destined to return to a solitary existence in an empty house.”

A YouGov survey carried out in May 2022 suggests the UK would like a similar scheme.

Of 3,144 British adults asked, 56% people would prefer to use a till with a human cashier, but the initiative is a world away from current supermarket strategy.

Despite the scepticism shown by many shoppers, others express support for the technology.

Lucy Ansell, a student from Strood, said she finds them “convenient”.

The 18-year-old said: “I’m pretty anti-social myself so if I can just get through my shopping and go to self-checkout machines and get it all done, I’m quite happy with that.”

Despite this, Lucy thinks it’s important that supermarkets give the option.

“In Asda you have the manned tills and the self-checkout area, and I think that’s quite good, especially for the elderly because they can go to manned tills to have a conversation and an interaction,” she added.

While many have a strong allegiance to a preferred payment process, others told KentOnline that having the “option” is most important.

Brenda Woollett, from Cliffe, says she is “very happy” to use the self-checkouts but decides how to pay based on the size of her shop.

The 74-year-old said: “If I just have a few bits then I’ll go to the self-checkout but otherwise if I do a full weekly shop, I’ll go through the staffed one – it’s nice to have the option.”

This opinion is echoed by Peter Hardiman, 66, from Higham, who regularly comes to Strood to do his shopping.

He said: “I think it’s nice to have the option because some of these superstores get really busy, so if you’ve got the option of self-checkout or a staff operated checkout you’ve got the best of both worlds.”

It appears that opinion is split, while some think self-service desks are “convenient”, others “hate” the technology and are actively taking a stand.

Most importantly, what people can agree on is that it should be an “option” and the shopper should be able to make a decision on their checkout method.

The presence of technology-led payment options continues to be a divisive issue, but in a time where we are supposed to be more inclusive than ever, it seems some people may be worried they are being left behind.