Soho Rooms has released a statement after a video appeared to show a wheelchair user being denied entry to its Mosley Street nightclub.
The clip, which has since been deleted, claimed the man was “refused” entry because access to the venue involves stairs. The post sparked widespread criticism in the comments, gaining over 700,000 views on TikTok.
It also showed door staff conversing with the group outside, including taking a phone out of one man’s hand and telling him “don’t be f**king clever right?”
via TikTok
Soho Rooms has since released a statement on Instagram after the incident, where it acknowledged the video and explained it “did not accurately represent the events that took place.” A spokesperson explained how CCTV showed the group becoming “aggressive” to staff and confirmed both the police and licensing authorities had been contacted.
The men involved in the video claimed their friend was “refused” entry due to being in a wheelchair, before pulling out a phone to record security staff outside the venue. Noticing the camera, one security guard takes the phone and can be heard telling him: “Listen, don’t be f**king clever right, videoing fucking me, right? Take your phone and go, right? Don’t stand here and video us, right?”
Viewers have since commented on the video, complaining about the way door staff handled the incident.
via TikTok
One person who claimed to be familiar with the venue wrote: “Yes Soho in Newcastle does have four levels with stairs to get to each level. But it also has a lift… this is 1,000 per cent a violation of the equality act.”
Another said: “I would contact the head of the security company and SIA, assault, discrimination and threats to destroy personal property will certainly be a one way ticket to losing his job and licence!”
Others who work in the industry added: “I was a doorman for 15 years, I wold never in a million years treat people with such unprofessional manner, I wouldn’t want to work with people like that, I used to carry them up the stairs if we had no lift, absolutely disgusting.”
“As a former security guard, he should lose his SIA licence for assault, not to mention discrimination. All businesses that are open to members of the public must have accessible access, for those who require it.”
However, another TikTok user pointed out that accusations should not be made at staff without full context, which can’t be understood from one video. One wrote: “Not the doorman’s fault that Soho don’t have the facility.. We have only seen a short clip of what’s happened.”
Posted on Monday 27th October, the detailed statement from Soho Rooms confirmed that staff intervened to “prevent a serious safety risk” after the men “appeared intoxicated” and attempted to carry another person in a wheelchair inside the venue.
It read: “We are aware of a video currently circulating on social media which does not accurately represent the events that took place. Our team acted to prevent a serious safety risk after a group attempted to carry a wheelchair user up and down several flights of stairs inside the venue.”
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Newcastle (@sohorooms.newcastle)A spokesperson also explained how some areas of the building are not fully accessible: “As an older multi-level building, our upper floors are unfortunately not fully accessible. Our security team explained this to the group, who appeared intoxicated and refused to acknowledge the risks involved.
“CCTV footage clearly shows the group becoming aggressive towards staff when entry to the upper levels was refused. The decision made by our door and security team was based solely on safety.
“We have regular wheelchair users who visit Soho Rooms and fully understand the accessibility limitations of the building. Both the police and licensing authorities have been provided with all relevant evidence and statements, and we are cooperating fully with their investigation.
“People who know us know that Soho Rooms is an inclusive venue where everyone is welcome. There is no discrimination towards any individual or group and customer safety always
comes first.
“We love providing a place for everyone to enjoy and celebrate, but behind the scenes, the safety of all guests and staff is
always our top priority.”
Soho Rooms was approached for comment.
Featured image via TikTok and Google Maps
