Interior design shop sparks social media storm by selling 'racist' Golliwog keyrings

An interior design shop has sparked a row by selling key rings that appear to look like controversial golliwogs.

Delux in Bristol found itself at the centre of a social media storm after a customer posted the pictures of the “racist” keyrings, which have large eyes and oversized red lips, on its Facebook page.

Other customers then followed suit, voicing their disgust, prompting the shop to remove the accessories from its shelves.

The storm started when customer Lorraine Bannerman posted a picture of the keyrings on the Delux Facebook page, with the message: “Selling golliwogs in this day and age?! Vile and racist I’m disgusted.”

Other customers then added their concerns, comparing the keyrings to the controversial 19th century children’s character.

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Naomi Smyth said: “Unbelievable that someone thought it was ok to sell key rings featuring racist caricatures. Haven’t you ever seen the streets of Bristol? This is a multicultural place, treat all its people with respect and don’t make them look at this outdated trash.”

Lisa Travers added: “Golliwog type toys? Seriously! Are you a front for the BNP? Disgusting. Absolutely shameful. Remove them.”

And Carol O’Connell said: “It’s a travesty that this shop sells golliwog products. These things are a racist emblem that represent a time in history when it was acceptable and encouraged to mock people of African descent and propagate negative ideas about their worth and status in the world.

“As such golliwog imagery has no place in our multicultural and diverse modern society. Shame on this place for ignoring the facts of racism in our history.”

But not all customers of Delux were offended by the keyrings in question.

Billie Farey said: “I have a mixed race son and it isn’t racist its heritage and me and my mum have stuff that represents the Golliwog era so what it’s cute and it’s what way you wanna [sic] interpret it!”

And Emma Foster added: “People are making this innocent mistake into something it certainly isn’t. I can only imagine how this would have upset and offended many people, however I can assure you these keyrings were not on display to cause anyone upset and certainly the business owners didn’t realise this would be the case.”

Delux has been contacted for comment.