A Leeds takeaway owner known for provoking social media to promote his business has struck again, posting an image on Mother’s Day and cracking a 'joke' about mum Kate McCann and her missing daughter Madeleine.
Joe Scholey, the owner of Otley Burger Company, based in Boroughgate, Leeds, posted images of the mother and daughter on Facebook and Instagram, along with the message: “With burgers this good, you’ll leave your kids at home. What’s the worst that could happen [sic] Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums out there.”
The missing tot Madeleine, then three, disappeared on a family holiday with parents Kate and Gerry in Portugal in 2007.
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The Otley Burger Company has pulled this type of promotional stunt before, a couple of times.
Last year it posted an image of disgraced mum Karen Matthews, who pretended her daughter Shannon had been abducted. It also shared a post featuring images of killers The Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe and Fred West and necrophile Jimmy Saville, among other controversial figures, on last year’s Father’s Day.
'LOL,' says owner
Speaking to Leeds Live, owner Joe, 29, who doesn’t have children, said his response to those offended was “LOL”. He said: “I don’t really have a message to them [those offended]. Maybe LOL? It’s a good laugh, isn’t it? I couldn’t care if people are really offended, I really don’t.”
Explaining why he posts these dark images, the burger man said: “Many years ago in the land of lockdown, we posted one and it got a bit of attention and it brought a lot of money in.
“So I thought, if I can do that every year, it’s a couple hundred pounds. We thought with a couple of hundred, I could spend it on myself. The following year, I posted the Karen Matthews one again and everyone went absolutely mental – I thought ‘this could be bad!’ but it turned out to be the opposite. I got a load of money again.
“So I thought, this year, I need some new watch batteries – my battery is bust!”
The response on social media has drawn mixed responses.
“Time for more free National advertising,” wrote Graeme Scholey, along with a series of thumbs up and a crying-with-laughter emoticon.
“Free McCann of Coke With Every Purchase?”joked Claire McInhirst.
Mahmood_Ihatenumbers said: "Madeline McCann and her mum in this post? Seems a bit sick and in very poor taste."
To that, the owner replied: "Only thing sick here is our photoshopping skillz."
What do you think of the controversial post? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
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