Sompting OAP shopper told to remove hat

Mr Gosnell was shopping in the Somerfield store in North Road, Lancing, when he was asked to remove his trademark "bull hat" '“ similar to a non-adjustable baseball cap.

He was told the store had suffered from problems with baseball cap-wearing youths, but was unsure how this could involve him, as a 72-year-old former seaman.

Mr Gosnell told the Herald: "I was asked to remove my hat by a security guard. He said they had had trouble with local youths.

"I gave him my shopping trolley and walked out."

Mr Gosnell, of Cokeham Road, Sompting, spent years at sea serving as a bosun on a merchant ship, where he first started wearing the bull hats.

He said: "It was our prefered uniform, as such. All the guys wore bull hats and jeans.

"They are what players in American football wear when they are in the 'bull pen', waiting to go on."

Mr Gosnell added although initially angry, he could now see the funny side and did not hold the security guard responsible at all.

"He was only doing his job," he said.

"I'm not a fast-tempered man, I'm calm in my old age. It wasn't his fault.

"I haven't had any rowdy days since I left the sea. I thought I had left all that behind me."

Somerfield store manager Gary Coller confirmed the situation arose out of nothing more than a simple misunderstanding, and said Mr Gosnell would be welcome back '“ and with his hat.

Mr Coller said: "We have been asking the youngsters to remove their hats, but I think there was a bit of a misunderstanding. Asking gentlemen to remove their hats isn't our policy.

"It is something that was taken out of context. We had people in crash helmets and with hoodies covering their faces coming in.

"We certainly don't intend to stop gentlemen wearing their hats."

-------------------------------------

Click here to go back to Lancing news.

Click here to go back to Worthing news.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: [email protected]