Teenagers object groups of three ban at Warringah Mall: ‘pure age discrimination’
These girls say they’re ‘enraged’ that teens can no longer hang out in groups of more than three at Warringah Mall — and they have disagreed with the reasons behind the ban.
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A group of schoolgirls say they are being discriminated against after being told they are no longer allowed to hang out in groups of more than three at Warringah Mall.
Ruby Osborne, 15, who goes to Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Campus, said she and her friends enjoyed meeting at the shopping hub after school or at weekends, because of the easy transport links and being safe.
She said they always spent money at the mall, at least $10 a week and more if going to the movies.
She said they were upset when their principal Christine Del Gallo told them at an assembly last week that Westfield’s security did not want teens hanging out in large groups.
“We often hang out there after school to catch up with friends, grab something to eat and to run errands,” Ruby said.
“The entire school was shocked to hear that the mall was only allowing us to hang out with two other friends while within the premises of the mall.
“Naturally, I was quite enraged at this as it is pure age discrimination.
“The mall representative told our principal it was due to the fact that we were driving customers away from stores and knocking over small children and elderly people.”
Ruby said that while that may have been instances when that had happened, she had never knocked over anyone.
She also said retailers would lose money if the rule was enforced.
“A lot of the stores in Warringah Mall are targeted at teenage girls and boys so this rule would be denying these stores from their main customers,” she said.
Ms Del Gallo told the Manly Daily last week there were particular concerns over large groups hanging out on Wednesday afternoons after sport, and Thursday evenings.
And, it applied to children from all schools on the peninsula who liked to congregate on those days.
Last week a spokeswoman from Westfield insisted there was no policy on groups of teenagers and no blanket rule.
The centre is popular with teens who can relax on comfortable chairs which are near power points for charging phones.
“We don’t apply a blanket policy in relation to groups of young people at any of our centres,” the spokeswoman said.
“Every situation is different and our experienced team makes decisions on how to manage situations on a case-by-case basis — always with the safety of our customers at heart.
“Minor incidents are actively managed and we work closely with local authorities, including Police, as needed.
“We welcome all members of the community into our centres, including youth.”
The spokeswoman added that they actively organised events for teens at the mall.
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