London department store Harrods have caused controversy this week after refusing a proud bunch of scouts entry to the store - as they would not take off their woggles.
The scout group from Hampshire were told that their traditional uniforms were not allowed in store, a view which has since been retracted by Harrods.
The group, who were visiting the capital, would have been allowed to enter the store, on the premise that they took off their neckerchiefs and woggles.
This was clearly not an option for Scout Leader Paul Kosinski, who in an interview with the BBC showed a clear horror at the thought of removing his beloved uniform.
Harrods, who have been criticised in the past for refusing customers entry (notably tracksuit wearing football team, Shakhtar Donetsk) claimed to have no record of the scout's entry refusal but sent their unreserved apologies to the group after the BBC spoke to them.
So why did Harrods refuse a group of children with colourful ties entry? Surely the kids, in line with the teachings of the scout movement, were perfectly well behaved, angelic little darlings? Previously, large groups of people have been turned away but this was not the scouts' issue, even offering to split up into smaller groups. See, how accommodating!
Conversely, why didn't the scouts just do as they were asked? At the end of the day, we're only talking about a bit of coloured fabric and a tie fastener; and they could have bought a much nicer one inside...
Despite this, scout power should have won the battle. Whilst Harrods has a right to refuse customers entry, perhaps this should not be so stringently adhered to. I severly doubt the Harrods clientele would really mind a few scouts wandering about; they should be happy that the kids are actually happily wearing a uniform...
The scout group from Hampshire were told that their traditional uniforms were not allowed in store, a view which has since been retracted by Harrods.
The group, who were visiting the capital, would have been allowed to enter the store, on the premise that they took off their neckerchiefs and woggles.
This was clearly not an option for Scout Leader Paul Kosinski, who in an interview with the BBC showed a clear horror at the thought of removing his beloved uniform.
Harrods, who have been criticised in the past for refusing customers entry (notably tracksuit wearing football team, Shakhtar Donetsk) claimed to have no record of the scout's entry refusal but sent their unreserved apologies to the group after the BBC spoke to them.
So why did Harrods refuse a group of children with colourful ties entry? Surely the kids, in line with the teachings of the scout movement, were perfectly well behaved, angelic little darlings? Previously, large groups of people have been turned away but this was not the scouts' issue, even offering to split up into smaller groups. See, how accommodating!
Conversely, why didn't the scouts just do as they were asked? At the end of the day, we're only talking about a bit of coloured fabric and a tie fastener; and they could have bought a much nicer one inside...
Despite this, scout power should have won the battle. Whilst Harrods has a right to refuse customers entry, perhaps this should not be so stringently adhered to. I severly doubt the Harrods clientele would really mind a few scouts wandering about; they should be happy that the kids are actually happily wearing a uniform...
See how the girl's equivalent to scouts, the guides got on with Harrods back in 2008: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7559647.stm
No comments:
Post a Comment