London coffee shop faces backlash over ‘racist’ and ‘fattist’ signs

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A London coffee shop has been embroiled in a racism and fat-phobia storm over signs it displayed as a “joke” during the pandemic.

F*ckoffee customers complained after the east London venue displayed “sorry no fatties” signs on a bench outside while a chalkboard read “you’re not pregnant you’re just fat”.

Referring to the coronavirus pandemic, another message displayed in January read “this is the longest that something made in China has ever lasted”.

A chalkboard displayed outside the cafe in Bethnal Green is regularly updated with cutting remarks, with many interpreting the messages as friendly banter.

However some customers and locals have complained about the cafe’s signs, sparking outrage on social media.

One woman told Twitter followers she had reported the “no fatties” sign for hate speech.

Commenting on Twitter, one person said: “Hi @F*ckoffee_HQ wtf is this? Just got sent this by a friend & before you defend as ‘dark humour’ it’s not - it’s fatphobia.

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“If the bench isn’t strong enough to be sat on then don’t put it outside your coffee shop, or alternatively make it strong so anyone / multiple people can sit...”

The cafe was also accused of racism following a series of memes on its Twitter page including a photo of a black man with a skin condition captioned “when you haven’t stolen anything in a week”.

Writer and presenter Chanté Joseph shared an Instagram video criticising the cafe which she described as a “rotting pile of bricks”.

She said: “F*ckoffee is an aged coffee shop in Bethnal Green that thinks fatphobia, racism and rape jokes are a unique form of humor.

“If you live in that area I suggest you find somewhere else to buy your coffee.”

A former employee told Metro.co.uk that she regularly heard “very problematic” and “oppressive stuff.”

Laurine Payet, 22, said: “On my first day [they] told me not to say sir or madam to anyone because it can annoy whatever they are.

“There’s rainbow flags outside and inside the shop. It’s attractive for queer people but it’s a marketing thing.

“He knows there are lots of queer people in east London. But the signs they have put up are very offensive.”

In 2019, the store also drew backlash for a “transphobic” meme while other signs have displayed messages such as “please don’t feed the crackies”.

A F*ckoffee spokesperson apologised on Instagram for any racially sensitive displays posted on behalf of the coffee shop.

In the post, a spokesperson said: “I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any racially sensitive imagery that as been posted on behalf of F*ckoffee.

“I take full responsibility. As a black person, I saw this as satirical and mocking the stereotypes with which society stigmatises us.

“My perspective is not yours, and you should not be forced to view it.

“I will stress that our humour may cut close to others’ sensitivities, but at no point does it emanate malicious intent.”

The Evening Standard has contacted F*ckoffee for comment.

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