Haart has now offered a young woman an interview for a trainee sales negotiator position after originally rejecting her application because her car was “too old”.

Alanah Thompson French, who is 18 (pictured with her mum, Jenni), was upset after Haart in Nottingham refused to shortlist her because she owned a 12-year-old Citroen.

The agency said its policy was that staff cars should be less than 10 years old.

U-turn

Thompson French currently works in a coffee shop, but is keen to start a career in the property industry. And she had to state the age of her car in an online application for the role with Haart.

But now Haart has not only offered her an interview, but it has also dropped its policy on the age of staff cars.

A Haart spokesperson told The Neg: “We are extremely grateful to Alanah Thompson French for raising her concerns about our car policy. Although it was introduced with good intentions, to ensure that colleagues use vehicles that are roadworthy and safe, it was never meant to prevent people from joining our organisation.

She is exactly the sort of person we would like to work for Haart estate agents.”

“We have an impressive track record of recruiting people of all ages, including many younger people who are struggling to find work elsewhere.

“We are so impressed by Alanah’s tenacity in raising the issue. She is exactly the sort of person we would like to work for Haart estate agents and we are contacting her to invite her for an interview.”

Not fair

Thompson French had described the decision as “a bit of a kick in the teeth”.

“It doesn’t seem fair because how am I meant to afford a bigger and better car? And how am I meant to get insured?” she said.

She saved up £2,800 to buy the car last year. It had one previous owner and less than 40,000 mileage, and she has not had any problems with it.

Picture: BBC News