Boy Falls off Tyre, Mother Blames tReds Shoe Store

Shoe retailer tReds decision to employ tyres as seating in its 18 stores has come in for some stick from a customer whose two-year old son fell off the rubber when attempting to dismount. According to reports in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer, Rachel Jordan has called for the shoe chain to remove its recycled tyres: “Kids look at the tyres in the shop and think, oh great, something to play on. I understand accidents happen but it was one that could have been avoided.” She described the events that led to her son Zane visiting the hospital: “He got on to the tyre, then went to get off it, caught his foot and fell headfirst on to the floor.”

The managing director of tReds Steve Kavanagh has offered to send an email to staff at the company’s outlets asking staff to remind parents that the tyres were not for climbing on, but stopped short of ceding to Jordan’s request that they be removed. A spokeswoman for the company stated, “The seating arrangements are an integral part of our unique shop design and shopping experience. In view of these facts, the company will not be removing them from Eastbourne or any other store.”

Jordan claims that Kavanagh had been unsympathetic according to the local paper: “When they are busy staff can’t tell mums, dads and children they are not allowed on the tyres.” However, the tReds spokeswoman responded firmly that it “disagrees that the seating area is hazardous” and that responsibility for the actions of children did not lie with the people from whom parents buy shoes. The Health and Safety executive is investigating.