Reform UK has become embroiled in a dispute with a community cafe in Wigan after Nigel Farage and the party's Makerfield by-election candidate Robert Kenyon made an unannounced visit during their campaign trail. The director of the Hamlet Wigan Community Interest Company (CIC), which supports young adults with additional needs, has demanded a formal apology, accusing the group of prioritising 'political publicity' over 'safeguarding, dignity, and emotional wellbeing'.
The letter, shared by Mayor of Greater Manchester and fellow by-election candidate Andy Burnham, who was also present at the cafe during the incident, criticised the 'intimidating and overwhelming' atmosphere created by the large entourage, security presence, and media crews. It stated: 'While we have absolutely no issue with individuals from any political background visiting the Hamlet, the unannounced arrival of your campaign team... created an atmosphere that many of our trainees, families, staff and customers found intimidating and overwhelming.'
Reform UK's Lee Anderson responded by questioning the complaint, noting that the director had sat with them, discussed the cafe's challenges, and even asked for a selfie with Farage and Kenyon. However, the director clarified that Burnham, a long-standing supporter, had arrived without a political agenda, whereas Reform's group began filming and taking pictures immediately without consent.
In a letter responding to the complaint, Reform UK suggested the concerns may have been 'politically influenced', insisting the visit was 'completely ad hoc and non-political'. They added: 'The last thing either Nigel or Rob would ever wish to do is make anyone feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed.'
