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Original poster

Do I now need to boycott Wagamama

86 replies

Needmoresleep · 27/09/2022 14:38

I like Wagamama. However I spotted this in a DM article about Mermaids today.

"Meanwhile, Wagamama is currently running a similar fundraiser, according to its website which states 25p from every power juice sold will be donated to Mermaids along with 20 per cent of its profits from their bespoke menu."

Why are firms getting into this agree with our politics if you want to buy our services thing. There is no way I want to buy anything that leads to a donation to Mermaids. Wagamama please reconsider.

OP posts:
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ZenNudist · 06/10/2022 11:39

Will avoid. Shame always used to enjoy. Find it awful value anyway.

Love tampopo and thaikhun which are Manchester restaurants doing similar food.

KittenKong · 06/10/2022 08:34

*attacked

KittenKong · 06/10/2022 07:05

Companies like this have been told and told, yet gleefully doubled down and attached those who warned them.

yup. Eff’em

AtrociousCircumstance · 06/10/2022 00:22

Fuck them. They can’t be trusted.

They need to come out and say why they have distanced themselves from Mermaids suddenly, and that they support women’s sex based rights and women’s spaces.

Otherwise it’s just slimy marketing backtracking.

KittenKong · 05/10/2022 20:16

Oh I wonder if they will have the wee ones rolling on the floors and crying in their outlets?

serves them right

Knittingmonster · 05/10/2022 19:07

They about turned so fast their heads span. Mermaids is now a “previous partner ”. Considering it was only last month they were praising them to the skies, they’re making themselves look even more pathetic. At least they should have the courage I’d their convictions.

KittenKong · 05/10/2022 18:49

It used to be a place beloved by kids - and you know how kids like to be ‘grown up’ and go to the loo themselves. No bloody chance.

MrJi · 05/10/2022 18:47

Amarette · 27/09/2022 14:53

Oh yes the unisex loos are horrible and my 10yo DD was really uncomfortable having to queue by herself next to a 6ft man.

We have stopped going because by chance I went with dd up to the loos and they were incredibly creepy and unsafe. I was so glad I hadn’t let her go up alone. As we were leaving a huge bloke came in. The loos are down a corridor and out of earshot, shockingly unsafe for a lone girl or woman.

ImherewithBoudica · 05/10/2022 08:32

Quite.

All very well quickly re writing history now to avoid being taken down in this awful mess. The point is that many people were telling them, repeatedly, what it was that they were supporting.

They were happy to look the other way and mutter about bigots until it all hit the press.

KittenKong · 05/10/2022 08:17

We need big poo shaped stickers
that outline their past undying love and support (and £££ of their donation) to let shoppers know.

KittenKong · 05/10/2022 08:10

and Starbucks. I had to stop outside one this morning. The urge to yell ‘still supporting mermaids are we?’ Was strong.

Auntieobem · 05/10/2022 08:08

Hang on, twitter saying they're no longer supporting?

Auntieobem · 05/10/2022 08:06

Noooooooo! We love Wagamamas, but can't support mermaids so won't be back. 😪

bingbummy · 05/10/2022 08:05

My city has many non-chain restaurants for Pho and the like, so we go there instead.

KittenKong · 05/10/2022 08:03

My sister wanted to go. I said no and why. She made the ‘she’s crazy’ sign (she thought) behind my back to her partner and rolled her eyes.

Must speak to her today…

Original poster
Needmoresleep · 05/10/2022 07:56

They have not responded to my complaint. Much as I love a prawn firecracker it is going to take more than that.

I saw somewhere that a percentage of one of their cookbooks goes to Mermaids. To what extent are they committed to this and to their current in restaurant promotion. If you buy the book or the smoothie do you risk funding Mermaids. Transparency is needed. Consumer protection. I can’t be the only one who won’t want to go near them until I can be sure than none off my money goes towards a organisation like Mermaids that I strongly disapprove of.

(Children in Need and others might do well to be similarly clear.)

OP posts:
Chillisquid · 30/09/2022 21:50

It was outside on the digital board in my local Wagamama in July with cards on the table also.
I only went in to speak to ex work mates, I made a fuss outside about why I couldn't spend money there when the kids wanted to go in, got some funny looks in the queue, I hope those women will be doing some research now.
Please report back any replies.
Shamelessly bumping this thread, I'm invested, and I think people really need to know certain brands selling themselves as family friendly, wholesome and progressive are anything but when it comes to this issue.
I'll never understand why they've touched this toxic mess when there are literally thousands of other genuinely good causes that could benefit from exposure and donations from a well known and established brand.
On a personal level I'm gutted the brand I loved and gave so much to is now so badly tainted.

TrainedByCats · 29/09/2022 13:24

KittenKong · 29/09/2022 07:54

Is this prompted in their restaurants? I walk by a couple regularly and they are not flying any flags or mentioning this on their electronic boards outside (since those god awful cartoons of mostly men being ‘pride’).

My DS didn’t see anything outside, it was something on the table and I think he may have already ordered before he read it

RubyTrees · 29/09/2022 10:58

@Chillisquid thanks for the email address.

I've sent the DT link ("Chest binding could be child abuse" say police) to the CEO and asked why they're still supporting Mermaids.

(I'm not holding my breath for a reply.)

Original poster
Needmoresleep · 29/09/2022 10:00

Its on their website.

www.wagamama.com/proudbeyondpride

Perhaps they are not advertising the fact that buying a ‘power juice’ earns a 25p donation to Mermaids. Perhaps they realise this will alienate a good part of their target market. Perhaps they are trying to have their cake (udon?) and eat it. Be woke to the Pride audience but not to ordinary people. If so I feel they are misleading customers by not telling them about the donations, and could be breaching some sort of customer protection legislation.

OP posts:
KittenKong · 29/09/2022 07:54

Promoted not promoted.

KittenKong · 29/09/2022 07:54

Is this prompted in their restaurants? I walk by a couple regularly and they are not flying any flags or mentioning this on their electronic boards outside (since those god awful cartoons of mostly men being ‘pride’).

UseOfWeapons · 29/09/2022 07:15

I won’t be eating there again. Not supporting Mermaids in any way, shape or form.

melafixer · 29/09/2022 07:08

Wow the optics on this are awful! Surely supporting child abuse is not a good look? i don’t think any company will be supporting Mermaids in a few years!

Will also be boycotting. (It’s a shame because their food was great IMO.) If - when- they do a screeching u-turn i would consider going back!

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