Soho Rooms clarifies events after video shows bouncer allegedly ‘refusing’ disabled entry

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.

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?”

A spokesperson for the club has since told The Newcastle Tab the clip “did not accurately represent the events that took place”.

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?”

via TikTok

Soho Rooms confirmed to The Newcastle Tab that members of the group became “aggressive” towards staff after attempting to carry a wheelchair user up several flights of stairs. The altercation lasted around 12 minutes, with CCTV being sent to police.

The spokesperson also confirmed that the men were offered entry on the ground floor, which they refused and which was not shown in footage online. They added there was “no action or suggestion of any wrongdoing by the authorities against the club or the security.”

The post split opinion in the comments, gaining over 700,000 views on TikTok.

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Posted on Monday 27th October, a detailed statement from Soho Rooms confirmed that staff intervened to “prevent a serious safety risk” after the men “appeared intoxicated” and “attempted to carry a wheelchair user up and down several flights of stairs 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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The statement also explained how some areas of the building are not completely 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.”

Viewers have since commented on the video and the behaviour of both parties involved.

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.”

Another said: “I’m sorry but I’ve been in that club and having someone in a wheelchair in there would be an absolute nightmare. It’s crammed like mad all the time, and the way to the dance floor is narrow and then multiple different platformed floors. Bouncer probably explained that off camera.”

A spokesperson for Soho Rooms told The Newcastle Tab: “We acted in the best interest of the individual concerned, as his intoxicated friends were adamant to carry him up the stairs, and this was the reason the group was refused after 12 minutes of deliberation at the door with security staff.

“We have an obligation to look after everyone coming to the premises, all customers, and our staff. His friend’s decision could have caused an injury to him or the people around, as this is a busy nightclub with multiple levels of stairs. We offered the ground floor, and this was not considered by the group.

“There has been no action or suggestion of any wrongdoing by the authorities against the club or the security. The whole thing has been blown out of proportion and made to look like a discrimination against an individual due to his disability, which in itself is very disturbing and painful, as it goes against all the core values we base our business on.”

Featured image via TikTok and Google Maps