CITY pubs and clubs today vowed to turn away customers dressed as Jimmy Savile at Hallowe'en.
With trick or treat night fast approaching there are concerns that people would dress as the disgraced former BBC DJ and television presenter. Savile, who died a year ago, has been accused of sexually abusing hundreds of girls and women.
Pubs and clubs across the city have sent out a clear message that anyone "tasteless and disrespectful" enough to dress as Savile will not be allowed in. Yates's, in Long Row, has turned away one Savile impersonator.
Deputy manager Charlotte Cordon said: "We feel it is very inappropriate as Yates's is a family venue in the day and we don't want people to be offended by what has happened and therefore lose custom on the basis.
"It is completely unacceptable to be making jokes about this situation and anyone attempting it will be refused entry and service."
Lewis Raine, promotions manager at Gatecrasher in Queen Street, said: "Anyone who comes to Gatecrasher dressed as Jimmy Savile will be denied entry. It is tasteless and disrespectful to the victims.
"We have quite a strict policy on fancy dress. We don't mind tasteful fancy dress but we do not allow anything crude or vile. We don't want to portray an image that we are all right with making fun of serious stuff; this is not a funny subject."
Matt De Leon, a spokesman for Walkabout in Friar Lane, said: "If anyone is insensitive enough to come dressed as Jimmy Savile they will not be welcome at Walkabout and will be refused entry. We will not allow anyone into the venue who we feel may cause or incite aggressive behaviour."
A spokesperson for Castle Rock Brewery in Queen's Bridge Road did not think that anyone would attempt the stunt. The spokesperson said: "We have no policy and we openly encourage people to dress in fancy dress, but when it comes to Mr Savile, although we understand that our customers would enjoy humour, none would choose to dress like that as it would be likely to be pointed out as inappropriate and in bad taste."
Magdalena Wojciechowska, manager of The Waterfront, in Canal Street, said: "People can do what they want; it is a free country at the end of the day."
What do you think of the costume ban? Have you been turned away because of your attire? Call newsdesk on 0115 9482000 or e-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
