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Resort called out for 'offensive' spa package name shares rebrand

By Jo Abi|

A luxury resort in Northern Ireland that was forced to apologise over an offensive spa package name has shared its rebrand following customer feedback.?

Rosnashane House in Ballymoney, County Antrim, posted the controversial ad online featuring two women wearing black bikinis and balaclavas for its 'Bikinis and Balaclavas' overnight spa package.

They have since shared the new name for the deal ¨C 'Relax and Reload.'

"New name announcement," the resort shared. "We'd like to thank the public for all their fabulous suggestions and support over the last number of days.

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spa package rebrand
The new ad has been released on Facebook. (Facebook)

"As a team we have come to the decision that our new name for Bikinis & Balaclavas will be¡­Relax & Reload as suggested by Amy Callan, who will now get the opportunity to come try this out at Rosnashane House."

Resort staff explained they had received many incredible suggestions for the spa package name and may use some of them for future packages.

"Again, we would like to thank our guests, old and new, and the general public for all their support," the business said.?

"We will not be issuing any further statements on this package as we would like to get back to what we do best, putting our guests at the forefront and ensuring everyone has an amazing experience here at Rosnashane House."

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Rosnashane House apologises for offence caused by ad
Rosnashane House in Ballymoney, County Antrim, posted the controversial ad online. (Rosnashane House)

Kenny Donaldson, a spokesperson for Innocent Victims United, was one of the most prominent figures to slam the original ad.

The Irish Times reports he said: "This is truly appalling, depraved marketing. There will be fools who'll say, but sure it's just a bit of craic. No it's not. Balaclavas and guns brought nothing but carnage to this society."

Local politician Mervyn Storey, a Democratic Unionist party (DUP) councillor, also joined the chorus of criticism, according to the publication.

"There is nothing glamorous in using balaclavas and guns to promote any business. Where is the respect for victims of horrific violence?" Storey said.

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Rosnashane House apologises for offence caused by ad
The venue was slmmed by a victims of crime advocate and local politician. (Rosnashane House)

The resort quickly apologised for any "offence" caused and asked the public for help in rebranding the spa package.

"It had been brought to our attention that some people may have found our 'Bikinis and Balaclava's package offensive, this was in no way our intention and as a business we have always strived to put our guests wellbeing at the forefront of everything we do," they shared in a statement.

"This has been one of our most popular packages since it was first announced over a year ago based around our on site airsoft range.

"Rosnashane House is a diverse company with a team made up of members both sides of the community, in addition to supporting many fundraising events for cross community organisations. We apologise for any offence this may have caused?."

Locals and former customers were quick to defend the venue against "snowflake" culture and those who took offence to the image.?

"I personally wouldn't change it. I mean it's the name of a spa package," one wrote.

"People know fine well no offence was intended. Some just go far out of their way to be offended. If u change this and someone else doesn't like the new name."

Rosnashane House
Locals and former customers were quick to defend the venue. (Rosnashane House)

Another commented: "It's your business, your choice, if people don't like the name they won't come that's their choice. It's a bit of fun and you won't be losing anything as they are not your patrons anyway."

One person joked that an alternative name may be 'Guns & Roses.'?

"Don't change it people always offended about something so fed-up with the nanny society we live in maybe if people worried more about their own business and get a hobby they would have less time to get offended about something so trivial," another shared.?

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