London Coffee Shop Accused Of Racism And Fatphobia Over 'Joke' Signs

The Bethnal Green coffee shop, called F***offee, has received a number of complaints after customers and passers-by spotted the various edgy signs.

Social media users have called out the signs as being discriminatory, whilst the shop has defended them as 'jokes', though they later admitted that they could be seen as 'offensive' and apologised.

One such complaint came from Luisa-Christie, who wrote: "Hi @F***offee_HQ wtf is this? Just got sent this by a friend & before you defend as 'dark humour' it's not - it's fatphobia.

"If the bench isn't strong to be sat on then don't put it outside your coffee shop, or alternatively make it strong so anyone/multiple people can sit..."

Chanté Joseph, a writer and presenter, posted on Instagram to condemn the 'rotting pile of bricks' café.

She said: "F***offee is an aged coffee shop in Bethnal Green that thinks fatphobia, racism and rape jokes are a unique form of humor [sic].

"If you live in that area I suggest you find somewhere else to buy your coffee."

F***offee, situated on 429 Bethnal Green Road, should not be confused with the F***offee coffee shop located on Bermondsey Street, which is a separate business and has not been implicated in the incident.

The F***offee website claims that the business supports freedom of expression, as well as pointing to support that they give communities in West Papua through their supply chain.

The owner shared an apology on social media following the backlash that read: "I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any racially insensitive imagery that has been posted on behalf of F***offee. I take full responsibility.

"As a black person, I saw this as satirical and mocking the stereotypes with which society stigmatises us.

"My perspective is not yours, and you should not be forced to view it.

"I will stress that our humour may cut close to others' sensitivities, but at no point does it emanate malicious intent."

Another post that was later deleted said: "We are not racist. We are not sexist.

"You guys have spoken and we listened. But it really is down to choice. F***offee never seeks to exclude and encourages freedom to express.

"This account has adult content and humour and we make 'jokes' because the world can be a harsh place to live in and so we mock ourselves."

LADbible has reached out to F***offee for a comment.