You know the Tang Hall coop man said he knew her or worked with her.
What brought up the conversation on Claudia?
Re the Coop staff. The man was in the shop on 1st April when talk of CL was all over York and most local shops displayed posters so it is likely he commented on a poster or joined in a conversation.
Coop man looks very similar to this man in the Melrosegate PO video at 2m 31s (who is coincidentally a left handed smoker). Style of clothing is v. similar , build plus white trainers to the man in the Coop pic IMO. Perhaps the police also want to speak to him because he was out and about at the right time and place on Thursday morning and passed the slightly built person with waist length jacket walking towards university -video below - (who could have been mistaken for CL - IMO). Therefore I think NYP view Coop man as a potential witness who could help to confirm or eliminate the Melrosegate substation sighting as being of any relevance. Unfortunately he hasn't responded.
Last known movements of Claudia Lawrence
Tang Hall - man in Co-op said he Knew Claudia.