Anti-Welsh comment ‘not by a member of staff’ says Aberystwyth business

An Aberystwyth business has said that a man who made an anti-Welsh comment to a customer was not a member of staff.

The customer claims that the comment came from someone “who was using the till”.

Nicky Roberts, who is originally from Rhondda but has lived in Aberystwyth since the beginning of last year, said he had heard the comment at the Tatws café in the town.

He was told by a person in the café “Why would I want to learn that crap language?” after he attempted to hand out a Say Something in Welsh CD.

He said the comments were “disappointing” as they “have Welsh signage everywhere”.

A spokesperson from Tatws said that while the comment was “completely inappropriate” they could not “take responsibility for or control comments and views expressed by people who visit the store”.

“Nicky has reached out to us on Facebook and after investigating the matter further, it has turned out that it was not a member of staff who said that comment,” they said.

“He was a friend of a member of staff who happened to stand near the counter and said the comment.

“We do fully respect Welsh values, culture, and language and make sure that members of staff employed at Tatws do the same. We have clarified the issue with Nicky.”

Nicky Roberts rejected the explanation, however.

“I don’t agree with what they’ve said,” he said. “The man behind the counter was working at the counter – not near the counter as they say. He was using the till.

“And I didn’t ‘reach out’ to them – I left a bad review.”