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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Ossett cafe owner 'warns' customers she is black | Ossett cafe owner 'warns' customers she is black |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A cafe owner has put up a sign telling customers she is black because she is fed up with people walking out when they see the colour of her skin. | A cafe owner has put up a sign telling customers she is black because she is fed up with people walking out when they see the colour of her skin. |
| The sign on the door of Yeanon Cafe in Ossett, West Yorkshire, reads: "I am a black woman... If you are allergic to black people, don't come in." | The sign on the door of Yeanon Cafe in Ossett, West Yorkshire, reads: "I am a black woman... If you are allergic to black people, don't come in." |
| Martha-Renee Kolleh said some people "take a look at me and walk out". | |
| Local councillor Tony Richardson said he was "shocked" as he did not believe racism was widespread in the town. | Local councillor Tony Richardson said he was "shocked" as he did not believe racism was widespread in the town. |
| A spokesman for Wakefield Council said it was "obviously concerned" by the issue which it had not been made aware of before. | A spokesman for Wakefield Council said it was "obviously concerned" by the issue which it had not been made aware of before. |
| "I would urge the business involved to get in touch with us as soon as possible," the spokesman added. | "I would urge the business involved to get in touch with us as soon as possible," the spokesman added. |
| Figures for ethnicity from the 2011 Census show that of Ossett's population of 16,116, 97.5% (15,724) were recorded as white. | Figures for ethnicity from the 2011 Census show that of Ossett's population of 16,116, 97.5% (15,724) were recorded as white. |
| Closure fear | Closure fear |
| Ms Kolleh said the reaction to the sign, which adds that the cafe serves "quality wholesome meals", had been mixed. | Ms Kolleh said the reaction to the sign, which adds that the cafe serves "quality wholesome meals", had been mixed. |
| "Some people find it amusing, they were laughing and said 'oh yes it's about time you put that up', so I think they all realise what's going on here," she said. | "Some people find it amusing, they were laughing and said 'oh yes it's about time you put that up', so I think they all realise what's going on here," she said. |
| "And some others just read it and walk away. I've heard one or two swear words as well regarding the notice." | "And some others just read it and walk away. I've heard one or two swear words as well regarding the notice." |
| The single mother-of-three has run the cafe for two years, serving a mixture of British, African and Caribbean food. | The single mother-of-three has run the cafe for two years, serving a mixture of British, African and Caribbean food. |
| Ms Kolleh told BBC Radio Leeds a lot of people in Ossett had supported her, but if business did not improve she would have to close by autumn. | Ms Kolleh told BBC Radio Leeds a lot of people in Ossett had supported her, but if business did not improve she would have to close by autumn. |
| She said: "I put [the sign] there because of the way people treat me in Ossett. | She said: "I put [the sign] there because of the way people treat me in Ossett. |
| "They just open the door of my cafe and once they take a look at me they walk out. | |
| "I hired a white woman called Tracey. When Tracey is in the cafe she does well and people will come in and it will be full, once I stay in the background. | |
| "But if Tracey is not working and I'm working nobody comes in." | |
| She said it was not her intention to accuse the whole town of being racist. | |
| "There are some very nice people in Ossett and they've been very very nice to me." | |
| 'Crush' racism | 'Crush' racism |
| Labour councillor Tony Richardson, who represents Ossett on Wakefield Council, said he was "utterly appalled" when he saw the sign. | Labour councillor Tony Richardson, who represents Ossett on Wakefield Council, said he was "utterly appalled" when he saw the sign. |
| "It has shocked me very much," he said. "I have spent 20 years as a trade unionist and fought against this sort of attitude and I certainly won't put up with it in Ossett. | "It has shocked me very much," he said. "I have spent 20 years as a trade unionist and fought against this sort of attitude and I certainly won't put up with it in Ossett. |
| "We have got to say it potentially could smack of racism and if it does we have to crush it with everything we have got." | "We have got to say it potentially could smack of racism and if it does we have to crush it with everything we have got." |
| He said he hoped to meet Ms Kolleh to give her his "full support and offer her anything she needs from me". | He said he hoped to meet Ms Kolleh to give her his "full support and offer her anything she needs from me". |
| Mr Richardson stressed that he believed most people in the town would support Ms Kolleh. | Mr Richardson stressed that he believed most people in the town would support Ms Kolleh. |
| "I am absolutely certain there is not a problem in Ossett. I have met thousands of people in Ossett and they are wonderful people, very diverse," he said. | "I am absolutely certain there is not a problem in Ossett. I have met thousands of people in Ossett and they are wonderful people, very diverse," he said. |