The Ed.
Well-Known Member
A barber has sparked outrage after banning women from his barber shops. John Shanahan has a 'gentlemen only' rule for his shop Barber Barber so, when Harriet Brignall, 18, came in with her boyfriend she was quickly asked to leave.
Harriet said: "I don't know how they're getting away with it. I was mortified. It's like a step backwards in time."
Shanahan's decision has been described as 'neanderthal' by mum-of-two Hayley Robinson, 33. She says, "I've banned my husband was using this barbers. You can't ban women in this day and age. This is going back to the dark ages. This man is a neanderthal."
But Mr. Shanahan insists that his ban is valid. "There's nothing here for ladies. This is a gentleman's barbers and we offer gentleman's services. It's my experience in the barber shop game that men like to come to these places to relax and to let go a bit. I like to see myself as an old-fashioned guy, I'm very mannerly. I don't like to use foul language in front of ladies or just say certain things in front of ladies. I wouldn't like my wife to hear some of the stuff that goes on in a barbershop and I wouldn't like my 16-year-old daughter to hear it either. It's light-hearted and a bit of fun. We're not trying to offend anybody here."
However, it may be decided that his policy violates equality laws.
Nick Small, Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for employment, said, "I think it's probably legal to have a gents' barbers that only deals with men What I don't believe is legal is if women are not allowed on the premises.
"I don't think this sort of thing has a place in this day and age. You can't say to a woman 'you're not welcome in here.' Yes, they're a gents' barbers, but that doesn't give them the excuse to stop mums bringing their sons in for a haircut, for instance."
Until then...geek on!
The Ed.
Image: the salon (YouTube)
Harriet said: "I don't know how they're getting away with it. I was mortified. It's like a step backwards in time."
Shanahan's decision has been described as 'neanderthal' by mum-of-two Hayley Robinson, 33. She says, "I've banned my husband was using this barbers. You can't ban women in this day and age. This is going back to the dark ages. This man is a neanderthal."
But Mr. Shanahan insists that his ban is valid. "There's nothing here for ladies. This is a gentleman's barbers and we offer gentleman's services. It's my experience in the barber shop game that men like to come to these places to relax and to let go a bit. I like to see myself as an old-fashioned guy, I'm very mannerly. I don't like to use foul language in front of ladies or just say certain things in front of ladies. I wouldn't like my wife to hear some of the stuff that goes on in a barbershop and I wouldn't like my 16-year-old daughter to hear it either. It's light-hearted and a bit of fun. We're not trying to offend anybody here."
However, it may be decided that his policy violates equality laws.
Nick Small, Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for employment, said, "I think it's probably legal to have a gents' barbers that only deals with men What I don't believe is legal is if women are not allowed on the premises.
"I don't think this sort of thing has a place in this day and age. You can't say to a woman 'you're not welcome in here.' Yes, they're a gents' barbers, but that doesn't give them the excuse to stop mums bringing their sons in for a haircut, for instance."
Until then...geek on!
The Ed.
Image: the salon (YouTube)