The BBC Club in Television Centre in west London is not known for its loutish clientele. So it is some surprise that the White City watering hole has had to warn corporation bods about unacceptable behaviour towards bar staff. In a code of conduct put up in the BBC Club last Friday, drinkers were warned: "As an employer, BBC Club asks a lot of our employees and we feel that they provide a friendly, quality service. In return, we guarantee them an environment where they can feel comfortable and safe from verbal and physical abuse. Recently, we have become aware of a minority of people becoming abusive towards staff and treating them with disrespect." Cripes! The notice, signed by the BBC Club's chief operating officer, Dino Portelli, says that the incidents have been isolated, but adds: "Inappropriate behaviour can take a number of forms but basically we're talking about deliberate rudeness, verbal or physical aggression, or any other threatening behaviour." Time to call in Peggy Mitchell to lay down the law to rowdy clientele?
