Mum in backless top ordered to leave garden shop after staff call her outfit 'inappropriate'
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A mum wearing a backless top was ordered to leave a garden centre after staff accused her of dressing "inappropriately".
Leanne Kennedy was buying some outdoors equipment in The Range, in Gosport, Hants., when she says she was left "traumatised" by the encounter.
The 30-year-old was approached by a member of staff and told to leave the premises or cover up if she wanted to continue shopping.
She said: "It must have been about 2pm, and the weather was 24C.
"I'd just gone in to buy some gardening supplies to spend the afternoon with my daughter in the garden.
(Photo: Solent News & Photo Agency)
"All of a sudden I was approached, not very discretely, and told, in front of other customers, that what I was wearing wasn't appropriate, and that I had to put a top on or leave.
I thought she was joking, I was wearing a normal summer outfit.
"When I tried to laugh it off, she said that if a man came in without a top on, they would say the same thing."
She said she would have understood if she was wearing a bikini, but she only had some of her back showing.
The member of staff reportedly pointed out to her that the store's policy on clothing was displayed at the entrance and she would have to leave the store.
But after returning home, Leanne decided to lodge a complaint with the shop.
(Photo: Solent News & Photo Agency)
She was then given a "grovelling" apology for her experience, with a customer service rep from The Grange saying it should not have happened.
They said: "I can advise that we do not have a specific dress code in place that would prevent you from shopping with the photographed outfit.
"I apologise for any inconvenience caused on this occasion."
But Leanne claimed the apology is not sufficient to make up for her embarrassment, adding: "I was humiliated, traumatised. It's discrimination.
"People were staring at me, I felt like I was being followed and had no choice but to put my things back and just leave the store.
""I don't feel as though an apology is enough after what they've put me through.
"I don't know what could fix this, but I wouldn't wish this humiliation on anyone."