8:45am Thursday 1st November 2007
By Robert Downes
A BRAMHALL fashion boutique targeted by animal rights activists for selling real fur, have pledged to reassess their buying policy.
Members of the lobby group CAFT-UK - the Coalition to Abolish Fur Trade - staged a peaceful protest outside upmarket Angela Beer in Woodford Road, which stocks garments made from animal fur, including rabbit skin jackets.
A group of up to 20 demonstrators waved banners and placards, handed out leaflets to passers-by asking them to boycott the store, and were later joined by Bramhall councillor, and fervent animal rights supporter, Ken Holt, for part of the protest.
But more than a week after the protest, management at Angela Beer told Community News on Tuesday they would have a rethink on whether or not to stock fur in the wake of the protest.
A spokesman for the store said: "It has certainly brought the issue to our attention. Personally, I would not have it to be honest, but I am a businessman and we have been asked to provide it. We cater for people's needs, but it's something we will have to take in.
"It has made us aware of the situation," he added.
The demonstration by CAFT was largely aimed at the German fashion house, Escarda, whose garments make frequent use of real animal pelts and are sold at Angela Beer.
The group's regional organiser, Louise Stevenson, who co-ordinated the event in Bramhall, said: "We were really pleased with the response from passers-by, who seemed largely to support us.
"What we want is for Escada to stop selling fur and pledge never to sell it again. Other high street stores have done so, including Selfridges, Harvey Nicols, M&S, H&M, and Top Shop.
"Almost half of all the world's fur comes from China today, and The Campaign for Ethical Treatment for Animals has some really disturbing footage on their website from factories there which shows just how cruel this trade is. What we are asking is not unreasonable."
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