Is this new at all? OK, maybe for a shopping centre. But the local corner shop only allows 2 school children in at a time. Now, does he have a right to brand all school children as light handed, even though his business could go bust with shop lifting being a serious problem. Or should he bow to the righteous and see his business go to the wall. I'm pretty certain pubs clubs restaurants have operated a dress code for a while now haven't they. What's the big issue with not wearing a hoody. I defend rights but really, only ones worth fighting for. Sure, we all need to ensure there's no abuse or unnecessary escalation of censorship and control etc etc etc

You're very wise and I will now be following you around, stalker like, from now on!

So, I can't wear a naff bit of clothing, at Bluewater. Big deal.

Twenty years ago you couldn't wear lace up Doctor Martins in Southend on a bank holiday because there was a fear you might feel the urge to kick someone's head in. So, the laces were taken away.

That didn't affect my life either.

Common sense - exactly. Bikes - hoodies, different extremes. Confusing different extremities plays in to the liberalist hands and nothing will ever get done in case someones feelings are hurt and they can't do what they want. A bit of order and direction wouldn't go amiss in most areas. I really do understand your argument but is has to be balanced with the problem. If you believe in no censhorship, rules or laws as it may infringe on any one individuals right - then you'd live in chaos. Or Haringey in the early 90's.

It a sad day when you can't even run your business in a reasonable and safe enviroment without being demonised.

Not quite, old chum. I think you may have missed the sacastic tone in my message.
Try reading it, from a hoodlum's (Hoodlum, did you see what I did there? :wink: ) point of view.

Like I said, everyones in favour of restricting the freedoms of people that aren't them.

But as the saying goes, what goes around comes around. I just wish people would see that so it can be stoped :roll:

I see where you are coming from but fear of the consequences should not stop you making a decision you believe to be right. In this case, people are being restricted either way.

Have you ever been in a market when a gang of youths Hood up and crowed around a stall and start blatantly nicking and threatening anybody who interferes with a kickin.

I have.

My dad is a Market trader and is only ever robbed by hoodies or eastern europeans or eastern european hoodies. And this is regular even though that part of the market has CCTV coverage. They are immune to CCTV because of the hoods. Thats why Bluwater is banning them and I have to agree in principle. Thats not a total ban but in an indoor or public places and in groups then yes. BAN THEM.

Rob - people that have been affected or intimidated by these people seem to be in favour of the ban. Boris Johnson doesn't work in a market stall and probably has chavs shot on site (not saying hoodies are chavs, just saying BJ has them shot)- but is against the censorship. Nice for those that can live in an harmonic ivory tower

That's the same ludicrous argument used by the people who brought you the bans on smacking/guns/smoking/fox hunting.