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Coffee shop franchise Tim Hortons is investigating claims that staff at its Birmingham cafe refused to serve customers buying food and drinks for homeless people.

The allegation was made by campaigner Angela Sheridan-Hunt Ash in a video filmed outside the Canadian chain's New Street branch in the city centre on Sunday, June 23.

She says in footage posted on Facebook: "I have just spoken to the manager and Tim Hortons has a policy in place, if you are buying food or drink for a homeless person, staff will ask you who it is for.

"If they suspect, or you walk in with a homeless person, then you can't be served."

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

She added: "I had this with McDonald's a couple of years ago.

"Tim Hortons has come into this city and is deciding who it will and won't serve products to.

"How can you discriminate?"

Tim Hortons has 19 stores across the UK and Angela added: "This is utter, utter b******s."

She continued: "If this is their policy, then please do not go to this f***ing place.

"I'm not telling you how to spend your money but to have something in place that is discriminating against people is s**t.

"Good old Tim Hortons?

"Not from me."

(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)

Responding on Twitter, the chain confirmed it was investigating and insisted it did not have any "discriminatory" policies in place.

Angela's video on social media had sparked 1,600 shares at the time of writing, with more than 900 reactions.

"This is disgusting," one commented.

"To stop someone from buying food for the homeless is crazy and worrying! Hopefully this is just an isolated incident in which the manager will be spoken to!"

Tim Hortons responded to homelessness campaigner Tracey Patterson, the wife of reformed football hooligan Barrington, on social media.

She had asked the firm: "Can you pls explain how you prevent customers from purchasing hot drinks for homeless people outside your Birmingham branch? (sic)".

Taking to Twitter, the chain wrote: "Thanks for your concern, we will be investigating what happened yesterday.

"However, we can confirm that there is no company policy to discriminate against anybody at Tim Hortons."

Tracey replied: "Perhaps you should inform the manager of the Birmingham branch what the company policy is and what isn't.

"I await the outcome."

(Image: Darren Quinton / BirminghamLive)

Stinson Hunter, known as the star of Channel 4's The Paedophile Hunter, furiously responded: "Treat our homeless with respect or get out of our city. Simple."

Tracey agreed, writing: "Shocking behaviour yesterday asking people who they are purchasing on behalf of anti homeless it seems."

Stinson fumed: "Utterly vile.

"How dare they ask who you’re buying something for - who do they think they are?

"The Starbucks by my old apartment used to take drinks and food out to the folk outside their store and would even let them use the facilities.

Another Twitter user branded it a "shocking" policy, with Stinson adding: "That’s why I always use Starbucks, I’ve seen how they consistently treat those less fortunate, it’s a shame a new company comes to our country and cannot extend the same common decency towards another human being.

"I won’t use a Tim Hortons until they ensure it won’t happen again."

What is Tim Hortons?

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"Disgusting," another Facebook user commented on Angela's video, with a second fuming: "Well done for naming and shaming!"

"Won't be going there," a third wrote.

And another fumed: "Boycott!"

The Canadian cafe brand is famous for its mini doughnuts called Timbits.

As well as its signature brewed coffee, Tim Hortons is renowned for its French Vanilla and Iced Capp beverages.

In November, it joined the latest in a long line of new and established coffee shops in the city centre.

The first Tim Hortons in the UK opened its doors in Glasgow in June 2017 with fans travelling from across the country and queuing overnight to sample the brand's famed coffee and baked goods.

The store boasts longer opening hours than other coffee chains in the area - open 6am until 11.30pm Monday - Saturday and 8am - 9pm on Sundays.

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