A SHOP on Bournemouth Pier has removed golliwogs from its shelves after the council banned their sale.

Officers turned up at Pier Gifts, on Bournemouth Pier, on Thursday afternoon and told staff they were not allowed to sell the toys.

It follows yesterday’s Daily Echo front page about a shopkeeper forbidden from showing the Enid Blyton-inspired characters at this weekend’s Boscombe Vintage Market in case they caused racial offence.

Rob Graham, a manager at Pier Gifts, said: “The guy came in and said we had to get rid of them as they didn’t want to be associated with selling golliwogs.

“I guess someone must have complained.”

His boss, who leases the shop from the council, bought the stuffed toys and moved them into the shop about a week ago.

They had sold around three or four, priced at £3 for a small and £6 for a larger version, Mr Graham said.

“I didn’t think anything of it,” he said, adding that he had no problems with the council.

Some customers had laughed.

“A few people came in and said ‘You can’t sell them’,” he added.

“I have no problems with the council. If they don’t want it, we won’t do it.”

A statement from Tony Williams, Bournemouth council’s executive director for environment and economic services, said selling golliwogs was not in accordance with the business’s lease.

He said: “The council is not prepared to be associated with anything that may be perceived as racist.

“We are not suggesting that the trader concerned is in any way prejudiced; however we felt it best to investigate and advise accordingly in order to ensure a consistent approach to this issue.”

Viv Endecott, the shopkeeper banned from the market, said: “I’m fairly offended as a female by Bratz and Barbie dolls. They’re grotesque caricatures and appalling role models for young children.

“I wonder if the council are proposing to go round to other shops and demand they are removed as well.”

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