Would it be illegal for someone with a business like a shop, to
deny anyone with a certain skin colour to go in it?

Also, would it be illegal for someone with a business like
the bus service to allow only people over a certain age (or minors with a gardian) to ride thier buses?

I'm confused about this ownership of things and what rights a person has. For example, to my knowlegde you are allowed to say who can come into your house because you own it. However, if you are establishing a service to the public, do you have to define the term 'public' for you business or is it fixed with in the so call laws/Human Rights thingy?

Originally posted by thestruggle
Would it be illegal for someone with a business like a shop, to
deny anyone with a certain skin colour to go in it?

I'd certainly hope so. During the petrol protests a few years ago one garage in Bolton (where I worked at the time) put up a sign saying "petrol for asians only". Despite being in a prominently Asian area, it didn't take long for word to get around and his garage to be pelted by bricks and assorted missiles.

The police eventually came and suggested to the owner that he leaves the sign down (it has been taken and smashed by youths long before the police arrived). But there were no arrests or any action taken related to the sign.

I wouldn't say it is illegal to be predujiced (spell*) because most people are in one way or another (and dont lie u out there). howether it will be illegal if you show it in some ways, like racism.

you mean discriminate surely. Prejudice is an opinion, discrimination is the action. And yes, I think it is illegal now

Originally posted by MarkB
I wouldn't say it is illegal to be predujiced (spell*) because most people are in one way or another (and dont lie u out there). howether it will be illegal if you show it in some ways, like racism.

What about ASBO people, or anyone that doesnt contribute to society in some meaningful way, due to poor education and some twisted psychological peer pressure, causing them to be hateful and destructive, and totally obnoxious to other that are not in their social grouping.

Originally posted by thestruggle
Would it be illegal for someone with a business like a shop, to
deny anyone with a certain skin colour to go in it?



It is unlawful for anyone providing goods, facilities or services in the United Kingdom to discriminate on grounds of race, either by refusing to provide goods, services or facilities, or by providing them on less favourable terms or conditions. This is the case regardless of whether the goods, services or facilities are provided for payment or free.

I dont think it is illegal as I have seen many shops that have signs saying things like "no school children", or "only 2 school children at a time". That certainly sounds prejudice to me.

dont they have the right to refuse ANYONE service for any reason? thats what i assumed.


not saying its right...but i thought that was the legal side behind it

Originally posted by spyro2000
I dont think it is illegal as I have seen many shops that have signs saying things like "no school children", or "only 2 school children at a time". That certainly sounds prejudice to me.

That's not prejudice, that's simply the shopkeeper trying to prevent his shop being overrun with hordes of thieving school kids. And quite right too! ;)

Originally posted by mojoworking
That's not prejudice, that's simply the shopkeeper trying to prevent his shop being overrun with hordes of thieving school kids. And quite right too! ;)

Isnt that being prejudice against thiving school kids? ;)

Originally posted by spyro2000
Isnt that being prejudice against thiving school kids? ;)

It makes sense when you think about it: one bloke behind the counter trying to cope with 20 rowdy schoolkids = nightmare situation and shoplifting heaven.

Originally posted by MTheo
dont they have the right to refuse ANYONE service for any reason? thats what i assumed.


not saying its right...but i thought that was the legal side behind it

That's true, you can refuse to serve anyone, except I'm pretty sure it's illegal to discriminate on the grounds of race, sex, disability etc.

Edit: I've just heard on BBC radio it's now also illegal to discriminate on the grounds of body size - ie too fat or thin. In other words, bosses can't decline a job applicant because they're overweight.

Originally posted by mojoworking
It makes sense when you think about it: one bloke behind the counter trying to cope with 20 rowdy schoolkids = nightmare situation and shoplifting heaven.

Yeah its alright saying only 2 school kids in at a time, but isnt that being prejudiced and implying that only school kids steal. Why not just 2 people in the shop full stop?

(i know its a weak argument, but I love a good debate :heyhey: )

Originally posted by spyro2000
Yeah its alright saying only 2 school kids in at a time, but isnt that being prejudiced and implying that only school kids steal. Why not just 2 people in the shop full stop?

(i know its a weak argument, but I love a good debate :heyhey: )

I suppose if (say) 20 factory workers made a habit of invading a sweet shop all at once, running riot and stressing out the owner, we'd quickly see signs relating to that.

Well......I complained to First Mainline for not kicking some annoying kids off the bus, and they said that it was against the law and they werent allowed to do it. I don't see how it could be.

Originally posted by thestruggle
Well......I complained to First Mainline for not kicking some annoying kids off the bus, and they said that it was against the law and they werent allowed to do it. I don't see how it could be.

I think the bus company is just covering themselves against lawsuits etc, in case they kick the kids off before their stop and something bad ensues.

As for kicking them off generally, all the driver can do is stop the bus and radio for the police to remove them. This usually results in even more grief for the driver from the other passengers who don't like being delayed.

Where I live the drivers have recently been given little plastic specimen bottles to collect spit, blood etc from their clothing for DNA analysis. Imagine that! You wouldn't want to be a bus driver these days.