Police called to model agency protest in Clifton

Police were called to a Bristol hotel when a protest was held against an agency advertising for models and TV extras.

Part of the Berkeley Square Hotel in Clifton was booked only the day before by a company called Elite Management, which was advertising for people who wanted to get into film and TV work or photographic modelling. It had originally advertised the event for a different hotel in the city but changed the venue at the last minute.

Clive Hurst, of acting union Equity, travelled from his home near London as part of a long-running campaign against acting and model outfits which he claimed took money up-front from people without any jobs materialising.

He spoke to people responding to the advert on Saturday and was joined by a couple from Swansea, who claimed they were trying to get back more than £400 from an agency which they said had the same contact details as Elite Management.

Some attending the photo-shoot handed over nearly £250 to those running the session, who told the Post in a statement that they only charged for an "optional portfolio".

Others declined to pay and some were persuaded by Mr Hurst not to go in.

At lunchtime, police turned up after receiving an anonymous tip-off. At one stage there were four police cars outside the hotel.

The hotel manager, who did not want to comment, was also called in by his staff and the agency's session was cut short by more than two hours. A second session planned for Sunday was cancelled.

Five women, all with their faces covered, left the hotel, refused to answer questions and were driven away in a black Chrysler, while a number of people who had answered the advert shouted at them.

Police Inspector Angus Krouwel said: "An agency turned up today to do photo shoots. We were called by an anonymous member of the public reporting a disturbance.

"It's been a small-scale, peaceful, protest.

"We had a word with the people running the agency and passed on the concerns being expressed. They decided to fold today's operation."

He said the officers would now be advising Bristol City Council's trading standards department.

Mr Hurst said he wanted action taken to prevent people being charged up-front fees just to register with agencies and have their picture taken.

He said: "These type of agencies tell people they need a portfolio and that it costs in the region of £249."

Philip Anthony, 46, said he and his fiancee Kristine Abbott, 40, of Swansea, had paid £249 in cash when Kristine went to a session and another £99.99 on a debit card to become a member of an agency.

He said a job was offered but they could not contact anyone about it when they called the number given.

Mr Anthony went into the session to try to ask for his money back but was told everyone was busy and left empty handed.

Emma and Antony Clark, and their children, Liam, seven, and four-year- old Georgia, of Bedminster Down, were among those who turned up.

Mrs Clark said: "We've never taken the children to anything like this before and thought it would be nice for them."

But they said they didn't realise they might have to pay and went home instead.

A woman who challenged the Post's presence before the police arrived and tried to hide her face from our photographer handed us a statement from Elite Management.

It claimed it was an employment agency that complied with regulations and was a promotions agency for members to introduce them to other agencies for model, film and other artistic work.

The statement said: "We do not charge an up-front fee to join Elite Management. We give members of the public the choice to purchase a separate and optional portfolio should they wish for £249.50."

But Lorraine Martin, of Filton, said she felt pressurised to pay up when she took her nine-year-old granddaughter, Allana King, to the event.

She wrote out a cheque and received a small photograph but later said she had cancelled the payment.

She said: "Payment seemed to come up quite quickly in the conversation. They appeared quite keen to get the money. They said people had to pay unless they had their own portfolio but who would have one? I'm disappointed at what happened but glad I stopped my cheque."

Elite Management's statement also denied the claims made by Mr Hurst.