11/09/2026
Plans are afoot for a new Greg Wallace-backed pizzaria in Stamford, to employ only men between the ages of 18 and 25. https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/new-stamford-pizzeria-only-plans-11149398
The founder claims that this isn't an "anti-women" stance, it's "pro-young men". Now, don't get me wrong, I understand the desire to help a struggling group and give them a leg-up in life. But there is this little thing called the Equality Act 2010 that makes discrimination on the grounds of age or s*x unlawful. The stated policy contravenes both.
"But what about Genuine Occupational Qualifications?!" I hear a lone voice cry... Well, yes GOQs can make discrimination lawful... but even if I squint really hard I can't see the GOQ in employing people to sell pizzas.
It's not even sugar-coating it, subtly whispering behind a hand or being indirect... it's a pretty loud and clear policy of direct discrimination, courted in the media for publicity. Backed by someone with a public record of multiple allegations of workplace s*xual harassment against women.
Now maybe it's just a case of shock-PR tactics. Maybe it's just courting the media to get their attention. Maybe they'll "clarify" at some point that it's been overstated or misrepresented in the media and that they've simply set up a genuine, lawful support program for young men that sits alongside the regular employment of people of all ages, genders and so on; or they're simply encouraging a specific demographic to apply alongside everyone else. Even if any of that turns out to be the case, there's some pretty compelling supporting evidence for a s*x or age discrimination claim now firmly glued into Google for evermore. This is the hook they've decided to hang from.
Doesn't seem to be the smartest PR to me!
However, the founder says they're not 'anti-women' and offered an explanation about the move
