The manager of a food and drink market has denied that a woman and her partner were kicked out of the venue for sharing a “quick kiss”. A man at a comedy night at the Ormskirk Food and Drink Market last night (Thursday, June 18) told the ECHO a couple were kicked out for "lewd behaviour".
A review was then left on Google earlier today (Friday, June 19), awarding the market one out of five for food, service and atmosphere. The woman claimed she was “absolutely appalled” by how she and her partner were treated at the town centre venue.
She said: “My partner and I shared a quick kiss, and the staff immediately approached us and made us feel unwelcome. Later, after we had taken our drinks outside, we were told not only to leave but were effectively discouraged from returning. The manager Nick Forelel couldn't give us a reason for the dismissal and simply shunned me as a drunk woman.
“The staff were rude, confrontational, and completely lacking in customer service. There was no attempt to handle the situation politely or professionally. Instead, we were made to feel embarrassed and singled out for behaviour that was harmless and respectful.
“I've never experienced such an unfriendly atmosphere. There are plenty of places that know how to treat paying customers with basic courtesy and respect. I certainly won't be returning and would not recommend this venue to anyone looking for a welcoming environment.”
However, this evening (Friday, June 19), Mr Forelel responded himself, arguing the couple tried to enter the unisex toilets "several times together", used the area around the toilets for "further romantic activities" and repeatedly talked during a live comedy performance.
He said: “Thank you for your review. We're genuinely sorry that your evening didn't end the way you'd hoped. However, as much as we'd love to believe this was all triggered by an innocent peck on the lips, the reality was a little more complicated than ‘couple shares kiss, venue launches full scale romance suppression operation'.
“For clarity: Arriving after enjoying your own bottle of wine outside the venue isn't generally considered a strong opening move.
“Repeatedly talking, using your phone, and wandering in and out during a live comedy performance wasn't particularly appreciated by either the comedians or the guests who had actually come to watch the show.
“During the first act, you left the room multiple times and were observed attempting to enter the public unisex toilets across the road together. While we're all for togetherness, public toilets are a slightly unconventional choice for a date night venue.
“After returning, the area around our toilets appeared to become your preferred location for further romantic activities while the show was ongoing.
“Staff spoke with you several times throughout the evening and remained polite despite being met with rudeness, sarcasm, and increasingly belligerent behaviour.
“When asked to leave, there was no mystery reason. The reason was simply that your behaviour was disrupting the event and affecting the experience of those around you.
“The fact that several guests nearby visibly relaxed once you had departed may have been a small clue that the issue wasn't the brief kiss you seem determined to focus on.”
Mr Forelel then thanked the woman for promoting the market. He said: “As for your refund, it had already been processed through the ticketing platform. Returning to demand cash from staff wasn't going to magically change how online payments work, despite your confidence that it might.
“We also note that after leaving, you generously dedicated the rest of your evening to posting the same review across every social media platform and comment section you could find.
“We appreciate the effort. Most businesses have to pay for that level of engagement. To be absolutely clear: nobody was asked to leave for sharing a kiss.
“People are occasionally asked to leave for drinking beforehand, disrupting a live performance, repeatedly leaving and re-entering the room, attempting to visit public and in house toilets as a pair, arguing with staff, refusing to leave when requested, and then returning to continue the discussion after being removed.
“We wish you both all the best in finding a venue more suited to drinking your own wine, conducting toilet-based excursions, ignoring live performers, and debating refund policies that have already been resolved. Kind regards, Mr Forelel.”
