BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The ITC has confirmed that they have launched an investigation into the recent TV commercial by Halfords following complaints about its use of chimpanzees.
The commercial, which has now finished its two week slot but is due to be re-run in July, features chimpanzees dressed in tracksuits riding bikes and fettling cars, with the strap-line "because you pay peanuts, we give you monkeys."
Craig Redmond, campaigns officer at the Captive Animals’ Protection Society which has led calls for the telly ad to be pulled, said:
"Chimpanzees are extremely intelligent animals with highly complex needs and should not
be subjected to the humiliation and distress of being dressed up and trained to perform in this manner which clearly seeks to ridicule them.
"All the leading primate experts oppose the commercial use of chimps in this way."
CAPS have produced campaign materials featuring the slogan ‘On Your Bike Halfords!’, and is co-ordinating nationwide protests at some Halfords stores.
