A mum says it is “irresponsible” that a shop window displayed an uncensored cushion with the word f*** in view of children.
Barbara McAuliffe was walking past Urban Outfitters in Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, when she saw the pillow on display.
Barbara McAuliffe says the language should not be on display in the window of Urban Outfitters, Tunbridge Wells. Picture: Barbara McAuliffe
The cushion, which says “live, laugh, f*** off” was placed on the bottom shelf of the window display and stopped the 68-year-old in her tracks.
The retired business owner said she was “surprised” to see the item at such low-level where children walking past would be able to see it and believed it was “insensitive” in general to people who find that type of language offensive.
The mum-of-one said: “I think it’s pushing the boundaries that little bit further. It’s very irresponsible with regard for children and it was at child height.
“I know they [Urban Outfitters] are aiming at a younger audience, but it was the audience above and below that also can be offended and it’s insensitive and inappropriate for children as well.”
Barbara McAuliffe took a picture of the cushion, which has been blurred by KentOnline, in the display window of Urban Outfitters. Picture: Barbara McAuliffe
In response, Barbara and her husband went to speak with staff and explained they thought it was inappropriate to be in the window, given the writing was not censored.
“It’s not what you would expect to see in a display for a high street retailer,” she added.
But when she spoke to staff Barbara, who has lived in Tunbridge Wells for 35 years, was told it was a “corporate design” for the window and it couldn’t be changed or covered up.
After this interaction, the mum looked to submit a complaint on their website but couldn’t find any dedicated section.
Although Barbara says the use of expletives is more commonplace in today’s world, she added: “There are still people who consider it a little bit offensive and insensitive.”
Barbara McAuliffe noticed the cushion had been moved towards the back of the store in Urban Outfitters on Wednesday, October 1. Picture: Barbara McAuliffe
She says the word used to be considered as more offensive but that now we’ve become more “desensitised” to its use.
The 68-year-old says, in her view, it would be acceptable to have the cushion inside the store, given that the target demographic is not children, but believes members of the public shouldn’t have to see it “in their face” when walking on a main thoroughfare in Tunbridge Wells.
Upon returning to the store on Wednesday, October 1, she discovered it had been removed from the display and moved inside the back of the store.
Barbara added: “I was pleased to see that the items had been removed from open public display and had at least been placed in a more discreet area to the rear of the store.
“This then for me would raise a question as to the suitability of these items in the first place if it’s necessary to place them in a less prominent area – but that’s a different issue.
“Hopefully they did receive more complaints and they took this action as a result. Personally I feel justified in making this complaint and achieving the outcome.”
Urban Outfitters said the concerns had been raised with its head office for review.