A performance described as “borderline pornographic” during a women’s empowerment talk has led to a Congleton businesswoman being banned from using a conference centre.
Former Wild and Wild café owner April Wild, who had run monthly events at Alderley Business Park aimed at inspiring female entrepreneurs, said she was “shocked” after being told she could no longer use the space because guests had been made to feel “uncomfortable”.
Responding in an email – that she later shared on social media – to Bruntwood SciTech, which owns the business park, Ms Wild said the ban was “highly discriminatory” and that there was nothing inappropriate about the talk.
The row came after former “Hollyoaks” and “Housewives of Cheshire” star Sarah Jayne Dunn, who now runs pole dancing for fitness classes, was invited to speak as part of the presentation.
Ms Wild said: “She talked about how she was a childhood actress at 15, and by 17 she was made to go on fancy photo shoots and pushed to do things she wasn’t comfortable with, like lad’s mags.
“She wanted to take ownership of her own image and content. She went really deep into her journey and people were emotional and crying during it.”
As part of the talk and wearing fitness clothing, Mrs Dunn, who left “Hollyoaks” after launching an OnlyFans account, showed guests how to perform on a pole and invited them to have a go.
Ms Wild said: “A lot of people came up to her afterwards to say it was really inspiring.” But towards the end of the event, she overheard a member of the management team say that there had been a complaint, and approached staff to ask what had happened.
She said: “One of the managers said she thought the presentation had been borderline pornographic and that I could be banned. My jaw dropped.
“I was really confused. You see people in yoga clothes all the time on social media, there was nothing inappropriate about it at all.” She later received an email from Bruntwood SciTech, which said: “Following the issues that arose during and after your speaker event, we have taken the decision to cancel all future bookings at Alderley Park.
“Despite multiple interventions from our team on the day, the behaviour of those involved showed a clear disregard for the guidance and requests made by our staff.
“We received feedback that visitors and our customers working in Glasshouse were made uncomfortable by what took place. It is our responsibility to protect our team, the integrity of the space and the reputation of Alderley Park while ensuring a professional and respectful environment for our customers.” Ms Wild said she had not been approached by staff on the day.
In an email response, she said: “Your decision and the reasoning provided raise serious concerns about fairness, discrimination and professionalism.
“At no point was there any inappropriate imagery or behaviour. You should have come over immediately as the complaint came in.
“As a women’s empowerment organisation, the decision to cancel all future bookings on this basis feels highly discriminatory. If a male athlete or fitness professional had demonstrated their discipline in standard attire, would the same decision have been taken?” Ms Wild said she had not yet received a reply to her email.
When asked by the “Chronicle” for comment, a spokesperson for Bruntwood SciTech, said: “We have long been supporters of Wild and Wild, providing spaces free of charge for its events for the last year.
“As with all events hosted at the park, we are there to provide a safe and inclusive space for attendees as well as our customers.
“We were concerned about the safety of the temporary pole, and had not been given prior notice to ensure its safe installation. We want the park to be a place for everyone and are keen to work with all our event partners to ensure that this is the case.”
(Photo: Victoria Haydn / April Wild).
