Southampton cab firm blasted by feminist society for ‘sexist’ poster

West Quay Cars has had a bollocking from the University of Southampton Feminist Society for their inappropriate new advertising.

The poster, which appears to be warning against drink driving, features a photograph of a voluptuous woman, along with the caption “If I start to look sexy book a taxi”.

The large woman poses suggestively next to the slogan “don’t make bad decisions”.

When angry punters vented on their Facebook page, the cab company deleted the comments and blocked people.

Annie O’Halloran posted her tweet in the University of Southampton Feminist Society group, naming and shaming the taxi company.

The advert sparked outrage with other members of the society. A boycott was even called for.

Society president, Orla Sheehan said: “I am speechless at how awful this is.”

Heather Cartwright added, in capitals for emphasis: “THEY COULD’VE HAD A MOP WITH GOOGLY EYES AND IT WOULD’VE BEEN FUNNIER AND INOFFENSIVE.”

Following the angry reaction to the advert, West Quay Cars told The Tab: “We are disappointed that our annual anti Drink Drive campaign for 2014 has generated some negative feedback, we apologise for any offence that may have been caused by either of the posters.

“Management and staff at West Quay Cars acknowledge our duty of care to promote safe travel wherever possible, our ongoing commitment to this goal is realised by the various schemes, incentives and advertising materials produced and implemented every year.”

When asked to comment on the use of such an advert by a SUSU-affiliated company, the Union president, David Mendoza-Wolfson, said: “We are aware of the advert in question, and in forming our partnership agreement with West Quay Cars we agreed that this campaign was not suitable for use within our venues or outlets.

“We are currently in talks with West Quay and have asked them to remove it from wider use.”