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Reading Chick-fil-A outlet to close in LGBT rights row | Reading Chick-fil-A outlet to close in LGBT rights row |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A US fast-food chain will cease trading at its first UK outlet amid a row over donations to anti-LGBT groups. | A US fast-food chain will cease trading at its first UK outlet amid a row over donations to anti-LGBT groups. |
Gay rights campaigners called for a boycott of Chick-fil-A, which opened its first branch at The Oracle shopping centre in Reading on 10 October. | Gay rights campaigners called for a boycott of Chick-fil-A, which opened its first branch at The Oracle shopping centre in Reading on 10 October. |
A spokeswoman for the centre said "the right thing to do" was to not extend the restaurant's lease beyond the "six-month pilot period". | A spokeswoman for the centre said "the right thing to do" was to not extend the restaurant's lease beyond the "six-month pilot period". |
Chick-fil-A said its donations were purely focused on youth and education. | Chick-fil-A said its donations were purely focused on youth and education. |
The family-owned company, founded in Atlanta in 1967, is one of the biggest fast-food chains in the USA and boasts about 2,400 outlets across North America. | The family-owned company, founded in Atlanta in 1967, is one of the biggest fast-food chains in the USA and boasts about 2,400 outlets across North America. |
According to US news website Think Progress, in 2017 the Chick-fil-A Foundation donated millions of dollars to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Paul Anderson Youth Home and the Salvation Army. | According to US news website Think Progress, in 2017 the Chick-fil-A Foundation donated millions of dollars to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Paul Anderson Youth Home and the Salvation Army. |
Campaigners from LGBT organisation, Reading Pride, said all three organisations have a reputation of being hostile to LGBT rights. | Campaigners from LGBT organisation, Reading Pride, said all three organisations have a reputation of being hostile to LGBT rights. |
In 2012, the company's chairman sparked a US boycott when he said he opposed gay marriage. | In 2012, the company's chairman sparked a US boycott when he said he opposed gay marriage. |
Campaign continues | |
The Oracle said: "We always look to introduce new concepts for our customers, however, we have decided on this occasion that the right thing to do is to only allow Chick-Fil-A to trade with us for the initial six-month pilot period, and not to extend the lease any further." | |
Reading Pride said The Oracle's decision was "good news", adding the six-month period was a "reasonable request... to allow for re-settlement and notice for employees that have moved from other jobs". | |
But the organisation said it would continue to campaign against the outlet until it left. | |
Chick-fil-A had previously told the BBC: "Our giving has always focused on youth and education. We have never donated with the purpose of supporting a social or political agenda. | Chick-fil-A had previously told the BBC: "Our giving has always focused on youth and education. We have never donated with the purpose of supporting a social or political agenda. |
"There are 145,000 people - black, white; gay, straight; Christian, non-Christian - who represent Chick-fil-A." | "There are 145,000 people - black, white; gay, straight; Christian, non-Christian - who represent Chick-fil-A." |