Ascot apologise for 'naughty boy' stickers

Rob Stevens • Published 23 Jan 2012 10:50 0 Comments

ASCOT Racecourse have apologised for affixing orange stickers to the badges or clothing of racegoers who failed to comply with the stringent new dress code on Saturday.

The new rules for the premier enclosure requiring male ticket holders to wear a jacket and tie were not being enforced, but, as one racegoer dubbed "naughty boy badges" were being handed out on the way to the enclosure to identify dress that would be unacceptable to the course at future meetings.

The policy was met with mixed reactions with angry racegoers commenting: "I'm surprised they didn't write 'judged and found worthless 'on them {racegoers}.

"Is this the course where champions day now resides and they are trying to attract new younger racegoers."

While another added: "You couldn't make it up. Trying to attract new customers is going to be difficult, when you treat people like this.

"Why not go the whole hog and ask people if they are Jewish, homosexual,or gypsies. Ascot has always been out of touch with normal people."

Ascot chief executive Charles Barnett said: "It is clear we let down many of our premier enclosure customers with a well intentioned but misguided policy.

"No customers should be expected to pay for such an experience and we've taken the view that all premier enclosure visitors will receive a full refund.

"We've worked very hard for many years to establish ourselves as a benchmark for customer service and are making this statement to reinforce that we will not allow our reputation as a welcoming sports venue to be tarnished by an isolated lack of judgement on our part."

The course have also made the decision to ban the in-vogue fascinator headgear for the 2012 Royal meeting. Although ladies are allowed to wear a "headpiece with a base of 10 centimetres or more in diameter".

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This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 23 Jan 12

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