M&S, a safe space

[GloGirl]

The audacity.

Ugh patronising.
So what, I can stay there for as long as I like? I don't think that would be allowed. What about if it's closing time?
Stupidly worded and just band-wagon jumping.

So you want women to feel safe and when shops try and help that's wrong too?

Massive responsibility to put on a retail worker's shoulders.

@TopTabby

They're just jumping on the bandwagon here aren't they? Desperate to let us know they've 'listened'. Shame they don't 'listen' to the very valid concerns over women only changing rooms

This. Pretty shameful to be attempting to make money out of women’s fear, when they refuse to provide safe, single sex changing rooms even for teenage girls getting their first bras.

So you want women to feel safe and when shops try and help that's wrong too?

And what are they actually doing?

Speaking as a staff member who has tried to help/intervene. You get turned on by one or both of the people involved.

Speaking as a member of the public who has needed help from shop staff. It doesn't matter how kind or helpful they are. The police don't give a shit and won't show up.

Its a dead end. Don't make promises u cant possibly keep.

Yeah, no.

Still not going to shop with them ever again.

Quite frankly, in today's topsy turvy world, that means M&S are not a safe space.

@zzizzer

Also, what training have they given colleagues exactly? This sounds like a safeguarding nightmare that could backfire hugely the first time some vulnerable woman says she went for help and there was none.

This was my first thought. I hope the staff have all been trained.

I feel you are suffering from domestic abuse it’s nice to know that there is somewhere to go at the moment, libraries are closed as are other council buildings, it’s better than sitting in the pouring rain with children.

Just because you are ok and have somewhere to go doesn’t mean everybody does.

I think it is bandwagonning.

Does any woman on this thread really need to be told that, if you feel threatened, it is a good idea to go to or stay in a well lit area with other people, preferably woman, around you?

Good grief, I sound like my mother!

I remember taking the train home with her after a day out in London and being told we had to walk all the way to the ladies’ carriage at the other end of the train as it was dark and late.

Or am I misremembering? Maybe it was just finding a carriage with other women in it (safety in numbers)? Did they still have ladies’ carriages on the last train from London in the early eighties?

On which Social Media platforms was this placed?

What is the context?

The OP has done a plop and run.

Last Sept customer services confirmed to me by phone that they had a number of complaints on this issue and were looking at the policy internally as all changing rooms were closed even when their stores were open.

Looks like any subsequent decisions have been taken and they have ignored the volume of complaints and their target customer.

Profits were down in the first quarter last year so I wonder what their next financial report will demonstrate.

If it wasn't for the great number of women specially employed by M&S I'd be happy to see them drown in their sea of woke. I can't see young, trendy Self ID supporters shopping there, maybe just the men who like buying their lacy knickers and reviewing them online...

Thanks.

Am off the the "Daily" thread to type "Write to the Baroness".

Those taking part (shops and businesses) have a sticker in the window using words and easy read symbols.

It was introduced for those people with Autism and Learning Disabilities by a local Day Service in conjunction with Social Services.

I've seen this near universities, but for girls and women feeling unsafe, it's been around for years. Larger companies do seem to be jumping on the bandwagon. Why haven't they done this before.

Because when women complaining about not feeling safe in their stores it’s roll eyes let’s be kind. When men talk about women being safe suddenly they need send a message that they serious about women’s safety. No sorry, don’t believe you one bit M&S

@PurpleHoodie

On which Social Media platforms was this placed?

What is the context?

The OP has done a plop and run.

You all commented whilst I was asleep

As an Instagram user it was clear to me it was Instagram. Sorry, should have linked

www.instagram.com/p/CMcmZuvnSvv/?igshid=1p43nowyxjzld

As above, its ridiculous bandwagoning. Nice to know at 5pm on a densly populated street I can go into a shop. Considering they've not been listening to women's concerns for months it was a pathetic display of virtue signalling.

We need clarification from M&S so emails need sending.

OP is not back.

@PurpleHoodie

We need clarification from M&S so emails need sending.

OP is not back.

🙋‍♀️

X post.

Thanks for clarification on the Instagram post Glo.

We need more answers from M&S.

Retail workers have it hard enough with virtue signalling nonsense that may actually put them in harm's way.

Safe for men ID-ing as women to get in to women's changing rooms. You've cooked your goose M & S.

You're right to raise this as an issue Glo.

It's women who are out on the shop floor and out shopping.

M&S et al should stop with the signalling and do more with protecting their core staff/customers.

@GreyhoundG1rl

Why would anyone feeling "unsafe" decide to go into M & S rather than a police station? Am I missing something? How random...

Probably because there aren't many police stations around with an open front desk.

@DifficultBloodyWoman

I think it is bandwagonning.

Does any woman on this thread really need to be told that, if you feel threatened, it is a good idea to go to or stay in a well lit area with other people, preferably woman, around you?

Good grief, I sound like my mother!

I remember taking the train home with her after a day out in London and being told we had to walk all the way to the ladies’ carriage at the other end of the train as it was dark and late.

Or am I misremembering? Maybe it was just finding a carriage with other women in it (safety in numbers)? Did they still have ladies’ carriages on the last train from London in the early eighties?

I think that Ladies' Compartments were phased out around 1977. They weren't as necessary once corridor trains were introduced because they offered an escape route which didn't involve clinging on to the running board for fear life.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34061094

This anecdote is rather appropriate in today's climate:
During World War One, the Liverpool Echo reported (perhaps fancifully) that a student travelling to London in a women-only compartment had sat alongside two nuns. On the way, the young woman noticed that one of the sisters "disclosed a masculine wrist". The student informed the guard and when they reached their destination, the nuns "found themselves under arrest as dangerous German spies".

Yes, because M&S will be open at night, when the streets are quiet and you're feeling alone and scared! 🙄

NC

M&S security. The training for this was a two sentence conversation yesterday afternoon - support them and call the police.

It's just bandwagon jumping - not impressed.