Starbucks Saudi Arabia bars women from entering coffee shop

The Starbucks store in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, asked women to send in their drivers instead.

Female customers of the coffees shop were shocked to see the notice at the door telling them to stay away.

Local media reports that the nation’s religious police forced the shop to refrain from admitting women after a routine inspection showed that it’s “gender wall” had collapsed.

The gender wall is a wooden barrier intended to keep men and women separate within the shop. The wall is present in all Saudi dining establishments, reports say.

But the company have refuted claims that its “gender wall” had collapsed. It said in a statement that the store is only undergoing renovations.

The statement reads:

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Starbucks in Saudi Arabia adheres to the local customs by providing separate entrances for families as well as single people. All our stores provide equal amenities, service, menu, and seating to men, women and families. We are working as quickly as possible as we refurbish our Jarir store, so that we may again welcome all customers in accordance with local customs.