Eastbourne make-up shop attacked over non-vegan products
Two employees at VLA Cosmetics in the Enterprise Centre said they were abused by customers protesting about the sale of non-vegan products.
Store manager Adam Smith, who was in the shop on Thursday afternoon with a make-up artist, said, “The man just got very aggressive and abusive. I felt overwhelmingly intimidated.”
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Hide AdMr Smith, who has worked at the store since it opened last April, said a man and a woman entered the shop complaining about a sign promoting a vegan make-up brand which they said was misleading.
The man became aggressive, swearing and making threats, according to Mr Smith, who repeatedly asked the pair to leave until they did.
Mr Smith said he decided to photograph the pair, who were still in the shopping centre, but when he did so a third man who had joined them became angry and physically pushed him away.
The 29-year-old said he tried to remain calm, left the scene and called the police.
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Hide AdA Sussex Police spokesperson said a call was made at 2.08pm to report verbal abuse, but officers were not asked to attend the incident.
Mr Smith’s partner Victoria Merrel, who owns VLA Cosmetics, said, “These people came in with the intention of instilling fear and panic.
“We have never promoted ourselves as a vegan shop, though we have been working extremely hard to bring vegan ranges in.”