By Laura Howarth and Gabrielle Leary
INTIMIDATING AND forceful sales techniques used by local business ‘Plush Spa’ have caused controversy across campus.
Aggressive sales representatives even gained access to supposedly secure halls of residence.
Students have complained that lengthy sales pitches, during which the saleswomen constantly shoved credit card machines in front of them made them uncomfortable and pressured.
One girl said: “They basically cornered us and kept touching my hair. We couldn’t get rid of them; I didn’t know what to do.”
Plush Spa were pushing an offer – reportedly giving away £400 worth of treatment for the price of £55 – a deal which they say is “an absolute bargain for students.”
The offer has been running since June and when pushed, a spokesperson for the spa admitted that they have had “complaints about the promotion before.”
One male fresher recalls: “I had left my door open and a woman entered my room asking whether she could swap with my female friend who was lying in bed with me. I don’t think they should have acted in such a manner.”
Another student notified the porter on duty who then escorted the women off campus.
Goodricke College Provost Jane Clarbour said that she was “horrified” that the strangers had managed to gain access to the buildings against university policy. She added: “We definitely did not give them permission.”
University Security Services have now been fully briefed on the situation and are confident that there won’t be any more problems.