Two staff members at a Manchester bar and restaurant have been removed permanently from all duties after a person was reportedly refused entry based on their outfit. The Alchemist, on New York Street in the city centre, has apologised and said it is investigating the claims.
Actress Amy Forrest shared details of the incident over the weekend, claiming a friend was refused entry because he was wearing a purple sparkly top with matching trousers. The West Yorkshire actress, who has appeared in Emmerdale and After The Flood, said the incident happened on August 22 when she and her wife joined friends at the venue to celebrate their third wedding anniversary.
Claims of discrimination over gender expression
In a lengthy online post, Forrest claimed a member of door staff told her friend he was not allowed in because he was wearing fancy dress. She wrote: “We questioned this, as he wasn’t wearing a costume. He was simply wearing a purple sparkly outfit. When we continued to ask why he was being refused entry, the explanation then became that men should not be wearing women’s clothing as part of the venue’s dress code.”
The actress said a manager later apologised but added that entry was ultimately up to the door staff. The Alchemist has since apologised on social media and in a statement issued to the Manchester Evening News.
Reflecting on the incident, Forrest wrote: “I understand that venues have dress codes, and I completely accept that staff have responsibilities when deciding whether someone meets those requirements. That isn’t what I’m challenging. What I am questioning is whether someone’s gender expression should be a reason for them to be refused entry, particularly when the person is fully dressed and not wearing anything inappropriate.”
Venue takes action and apologises
In a statement issued to the M.E.N on September 1, bosses at The Alchemist said two staff members have been removed immediately and permanently from all duties at its venues, and it is fully investigating the claims. The company said it is in direct dialogue with the actress and her group over the claims, and is working to resolve the matter.
Forrest said she felt inclined to share details of the incident over the weekend of the Manchester Village Pride celebrations as she understood the venue had been hosting its own events to coincide with the festival. She added: “We have incredibly vulnerable people within our community, and I think we have a responsibility to speak up when something happens that could potentially make people feel excluded or unsafe.”
Statement from The Alchemist
A spokesperson for The Alchemist said: “Firstly, we want to be clear that the views allegedly expressed by the individuals involved, neither of whom is a direct employee of The Alchemist, do not represent those of the business or our teams. Both of those individuals have been removed immediately and permanently from all duties at our venues.”
The spokesperson added that the senior team is in direct dialogue with the guest and their group, and is working together to resolve the matter. They said: “We are sorry for what the guest and their group experienced, and we want to reassure everyone that discrimination of any kind, including on the basis of gender identity, gender expression or sexuality, has no place in any of The Alchemist venues.”
The statement also highlighted the company’s support for the LGBTQ+ community, including a charity cocktail that donates 25p from every drink sold to the Albert Kennedy Trust, which supports LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness, and has raised more than £90,000 for the charity to date. The spokesperson concluded: “We have always and will continue to strive to provide a safe and welcoming environment for both our guests and our teams; and won’t stand for anything that compromises that culture.”
