Soho House venue under investigation for food safety

Health inspectors are examining conditions at an exclusive London branch of the Soho House private members' club chain after a former kitchen worker reported serious hygiene and food labelling violations.

Hackney Council confirmed it launched an official probe into Shoreditch House, one of the company's ten venues in the capital, following a complaint concerning food safety standards and cleanliness.

The regulatory action follows reports from former employee Kamran Khan, who told BBC News that he encountered routine pest issues and felt coerced into doctoring expiry dates on unsold prepared dishes. Khan, a 30-year-old hospitality worker, stated he was warned that failing to independently swap the dates would be viewed as a negative reflection on his job performance.

Khan initially flagged the matter informally in July while serving a probationary period, later lodging a formal internal grievance. Soho House carried out an internal inquiry and notified him on August 24 that evidence backed his claims, promising corrective steps. However, Khan claimed the relabelling persisted, prompting him to take the allegations to local authorities due to worries about vulnerable diners, including children and pregnant women. He also described ongoing rodent problems at the site, alleging that cleaning personnel were instructed to inspect daily for droppings.

Khan was dismissed from his role in September, around two months after first raising his worries. Soho House stated his termination was completely unconnected to his complaints regarding kitchen practices.

Responding to the allegations, a Soho House representative apologised and characterised the relabelling as an isolated occurrence that breached company guidelines. The group stated that delivering high food safety standards remains a top priority and noted that an independent outside audit had been carried out. The business did not comment on the claims regarding rodents.

Established in London in 1995, Soho House has expanded into a global network of 46 clubs across Europe, North America, and Asia, catering to high-profile clientele. Basic adult memberships start at £291.67 per month. The hospitality brand previously completed a public listing in New York before being acquired last year by an investor group, which appointed actor Ashton Kutcher to its corporate board.