Call for discretion over Burberry ban

by Mairi Clark Burberry's ubiquitous check has joined the ranks of football colours in banned outfits to wear at the pub. Many clubs and pubs in Scotland are now banning the design because of its unfortunate association with young troublemakers and football casuals. A woman in Aberdeen was recently refused entry to the Filling Station on Union Street for wearing the recognisable pattern on her bag and umbrella. Door stewards at the Filling Station refused the woman entry in accordance with company policy. June Reid, who works in the oil industry, said she was told her Bur-berry handbag and umbrella were associated with soccer casuals. Alan Bannerman, owner of the Phoenix bar in Dundee city centre, said he would refuse entry to a "young man with a shaved head wearing a Burberry cap and shirt". "I wouldn't think twice about whether he was trouble," he explained. "I believe I speak forat least 90% of pub owners in Dundee. Burberry has become the badge of thuggery." Eddie Tobin, managing director of UpFront Security ­ one of Scotland's biggest suppliers of door stewards ­ said the problem of Burberry-clad troublemakers was widespread. He said that the company is aware that Burberry is worn by people such as football casuals "but we'd normally expect them to wear it when a match was on or during an event." But he added: "We'd expect a level of discretionary decision-making from our stewards. A lady with a Burberry umbrella and bag is clearly not a football casual.