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Staffordshire Water Park Bans Future Family Naturist Events After Public Backlash

Staffordshire Water Park Bans Future Family Naturist Events After Public Backlash

The naked swimming events can still take place, but all participants must be 18 or over

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A Staffordshire water park has banned under-18s from all events organised by naturists after a furious backlash from the public.

Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent has been hosting events hosted by British Naturism for two decades, but after the media coverage about a naked family swimming event at the park sparked a huge controversy, it has now changed its policy ahead of future events.

A scheduled event last Saturday (26 September) was billed as a family event, but obviously with everyone naked.

Needless to say, a lot of people were unimpressed by that idea.

Waterworld

A small group of people gathered to protest outside the park on the evening of the event and surrounded the cars of some of the naturists, hurling abuse at them and holding placards.

However, after this weekend's event, Waterworld has decided to restrict anyone attending naturist events to those aged over 18.

Owner Mo Chaudry told Birmingham Live: "British Naturism is a perfectly law-abiding organisation which has been hiring our venue - and many similar sites across the UK - for private events for over 20 years.

"In all that time, the sessions have taken place happily and peacefully with all appropriate health, safety and safeguarding policies in place, giving our team no reasons for concern."

Waterworld

"However, it has become clear following extensive dialogue with our customers that a growing number are unhappy with these sessions being open to children and young people.

"So, while we are happy to continue hiring out our venue to naturists, the board of directors have decided to amend our company policy - future events must now be restricted to over 18s."

He added: "Having arrived in the UK from Pakistan as a young boy, unable to speak a single word of English, I know precisely what it feels like to be discriminated against.

"And that is why, throughout my years in business, I have always been determined to treat everyone equally, and fairly.

"Although I do not personally share the views of naturists, I feel it is important to acknowledge the freedom of choice for all people providing they abide by the laws of the land."

Waterworld

"However, my staff have been subjected to unacceptable and unwarranted abuse from those protesting against the event that took place this weekend. This is something that I cannot allow to continue in the future.

"And from our point of view, we have always prided ourselves on listening to the wide-ranging views of all our customers.

"British Naturism is welcome to continue hiring Waterworld outside of public opening hours for its private events.

"But in future, it will simply be on the condition that these sessions are only open to people aged 18 and over."

LADbible has contacted British Naturism for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Waterworld

Topics: UK News, Weird