The Raffles Hotel in Perth came under fire last week for implementing a “no-Lycra policy”, rejecting entry of cyclists wearing form-fitting clothing into the hotel’s restaurant.
The ban came after the hotel received numerous complaints from patrons saying that they were “disgusted” by “fat” and “old” cyclists parading around in tight clothing, while they tried to enjoy a meal.
The Raffles Hotel caused a stir when it denied service to groups of cyclists on the basis of its new policy. The hotel has since clarified that the incident was a misunderstanding between management and staff. It now says its intention was to regulate the number of bicycles left around the hotel, in order to combat its “ongoing issues” of cyclists leaving their bicycles on the paths, walls and grassed areas surrounding the hotel, obstructing the movement of other patrons.
The clarification, posted to Facebook, said, “This decision was never a dress code issue, and if dress was communicated as the reason by our staff then we apologise for the misunderstanding and assure everyone that this is not the case.”
However, rejected patrons from the restaurant have posted on Facebook, accusing management of “backtracking” and “copping out” on its policy in order to save face with the public.
Read more at News.com.au.
Would you support a no-Lycra policy at restaurants in your city? Are you offended by seeing people wearing tight fitting sportswear in public, or do you feel the Raffles Hotel patrons were making a fuss over nothing?
