Santander no longer have a “moral problem” with circus group account
Santander has reversed its position on denying a circus group a bank account because the troupe's burlesque acts presented a "moral problem" to the bank.
Founder of Circus Uncertainty Joshua Morris had applied for a Santander business account in Bristol but later received a call saying his company could not bank with Santander because it sold burlesque and show girls’ acts.
Circus Uncertainty has performed at Glastonbury and the Harbourside festival. The 40-strong group required a business account to apply for government grants so they could fund work with terminally ill children, according to Morris.
However, Morris told the BBC the bank had now gone back on its decision. "Santander have offered us an account, but we're not sure whether to take it – we've been offered accounts with other banks now," he said.
Morris said the bank didn't get in contact with the group until they went to the papers as well as the lack of communication from Santander to remove its decision.
During the application process, Morris did receive any indication that there was a problem. However, the application was denied after it emerged that Santander staff looked at Circus Uncertainty's website, which featured co-founder Lucy Tucker dressed in a bikini and feather bustle.
"They were beating around the bush trying not to say it, but eventually said it was a problem because we sell showgirl and burlesque acts," Mr Morris said.
However, the bank now appears eager to make it up with Circus Uncertainty.
A Santander spokeswoman said: "We are committed to supporting the local business community and we have reviewed this account application following some clarification of the nature of the business."
"We are now in discussions with the business owner about his application and we hope to reach a positive outcome in the coming days.