Starbucks faces criticism from politicians and campaign groups today after it decided to remove all references to the festive season from its Christmas red cups, as revealed earlier on Breitbart London.
The coffee chain revealed this year’s version of its “red cups” this week – an annual tradition where it changes the colour of its cups from white to red around Christmas time, usually with a festive design.
This year, however, the chain has decided to remove all festive imagery from its cups and instead have a plain red cup.
Oh hello, #RedCups Welcome back. pic.twitter.com/eHfllRdLDt
— Starbucks UK (@StarbucksUK) November 3, 2015
Starbucks explained the design in a statement, saying: “Starbucks has become a place of sanctuary during the holidays. We’re embracing the simplicity and the quietness of it. It’s [a] more open way to usher in the holiday.”
But, Tory MP David Burrowes has criticised the move. He told Breitbart London: “The Starbucks coffee cup change smells more of political correctness than a consumer-led change.
“The public has a common sense grasp on the reality that at Christmas time, whether you have a Christian faith or not, Britain celebrates Christmas.”
His concerns were echoed by Christian groups who branded them “scrooges” and accused them of trying to hide the religious message behind Christmas.
Simon Calvert of the Christian Institute told Breitbart London: “What is it about Christmas that Starbucks are afraid of celebrating? Haven’t they heard it’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the season of good will to ALL men? They should get involved and stop being scrooges.”
And more have piled in, with Andrea Williams of Christian Concern saying: “This is a denial of historical reality and the great Christian heritage behind the American Dream that has so benefitted Starbucks.
“This also denies the hope of Jesus Christ and His story told so powerfully at this time of year.”
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