Black father refused paint for son’s art project by Hobbycraft staff

By Megan Howe Published: 09:42 EST, 25 February 2024 | Updated: 10:02 EST, 25 February 2024 A black father has said he was refused service at an arts and crafts store when buying paint for his son because staff allegedly assumed he would undertake an ‘incidence of graffiti’. Louis Gray, from Cardiff, said he was refused service at his local Hobbycraft store on Saturday when trying to buy spray paint with his four-year-old son so that he could have a bike helmet in ‘a new colour to be like his idol’. Mr Gray alleges he was surrounded by three members of staff — one who was apparently ‘wearing a bodycam to record the transaction’ and one who ‘waved his hands in the air’ to signal more staff. Commenting on the incident, he said: ‘I did not raise my voice once, I just wore my blackness.’ In an email to Mr Gray, Hobbycraft apologised for his ‘recent experience’ and said the reason why he was refused service was because he could not provide ID for an age restricted product.  Mr Gray added: ‘I was buying spray paint, to ironically spray my 4-year-old’s bike helmet a new colour to be like his...