Shop selling 'offensive' golliwogs faces protest

A protest is being planned against a gift shop which is refusing to take golliwogs off its shelves.

Sutton councillor Lester Holloway has organised a demo outside Memory Lane next week. He says the dolls should be taken from public display.

The owners of the Times Square centre shop have refused, saying the dolls are not illegal and have been bought by hundreds of people.

Mr Holloway said: "Golliwog dolls are offensive to all decent citizens. They mock black people.

"If enough people show they disagree with displaying these golliwogs, hopefully the owner will be forced to remove them."

A spokesman for the shop said: "I respect Mr Holloway's right to protest, but we do not believe stocking and selling the dolls is an offence or offensive."

The doll started as a character in children's books in the late 19th century and was used by British jam manufacturer James Robertson & Sons as its mascot.