How a well known shop would disregard even the regulations of the country

I'm shocked about the fact that I was told by an employee with no uniform to inform me that because I am not in uniform therefore I do not qualify to be an essential service I must stand at the que. The disrespect of this in front of a customer who even questioned other professionals if they are not in uniform does that disqualify them from being essential service providers. This happened at Dunnottar next to Nigel