Soho House Investigated Over Food Safety Concerns

Hackney Council is investigating food safety and hygiene at the Shoreditch location of the private members' club Soho House following allegations from a former employee.

The former staff member claimed he was pressured to replace labels on prepared food that had not been sold by the end of the day and reported regularly seeing rats at the venue. The individual's contract was terminated two months after he raised these concerns.

Soho House stated that the food incident was an isolated issue and that relabeling unsold food is not company policy. The company did not directly address the claims regarding rats but said the former employee's contract termination was unrelated to his complaints.

Kamran Khan, the former employee, told BBC News that he was instructed in a probation meeting to alter food labels. He claimed that failure to do so would be considered a performance concern. Khan, who has prior experience in catering and hospitality, expressed concern about serving potentially unsafe food to children and pregnant women, stating he did not want to be held liable for anyone falling ill.

Legally, food served in restaurants must be labeled with accurate use-by or best-before dates. Khan also alleged that rats had been present at the venue for an extended period, with cleaners instructed to check daily for droppings.

A spokesperson for Soho House issued an apology, stating that the reported incidents do not reflect the club's operating standards and are contrary to company policy. The company confirmed that an external, independent investigation and audit were conducted, emphasizing its commitment to high food safety standards for its members and guests.

Soho House, known as a popular destination for celebrities, opened its first London club in 1995. It has since expanded to 46 locations across Europe, North America, and Asia. The group was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021 but faced financial challenges and questions about its exclusivity in subsequent years. It was acquired by a consortium of investors last year, with actor Ashton Kutcher joining its board.

Membership at Soho House ranges from £291.67 per month, with a reduced rate of £204.17 for members under 27.