Soho House venue under investigation for food safety

Hackney Council has opened an investigation into food safety and hygiene at the Shoreditch location of Soho House after former employee Kamran Khan reported seeing rats and being instructed to relabel out‑of‑date food. Khan told BBC News that he was pressured to change labels on prepared food if it remained unsold at the end of service and that he regularly observed rodents on the premises. He said his concerns were first raised informally in July while he was on probation, and his employment was terminated in September. Soho House maintained that the dismissal was unrelated to his complaints. Following a formal complaint, the company informed Khan on 24 August that there were grounds to support his assertion and that corrective steps were being taken. Khan alleged that the relabelling practice continued despite assurances he received, prompting him to bring the matter to Hackney Council. A council spokesperson confirmed the inquiry, stating, "We have received a study about food information and hygiene at Shoreditch House and have opened an investigation." Speaking to BBC News, Khan said he was directed in a probation meeting to continue the practice. The 30‑year‑old, who noted several catering and hospitality roles, recalled being told, "if I don't change labels on my own initiative, [they] would take that as a performance concern." He added that he felt compelled to speak up after seeing many children and large women dining at the venue, saying, "I told them that I don't want to be held personally liable for anyone that gets injured." Food served in a premises must legally display information such as a best‑before or use‑by date. Khan also claimed that rats had been present for an extended period and that cleaning staff were instructed to check regularly for droppings. Soho House issued an apology through a spokesperson, who said, "This is not how we expect our houses to run and it is not institution policy." The spokesperson noted that an external, independent probe and audit had been carried out and added, "Delivering the highest level of food information for our members and guests is incredibly important to us." For clarity, the spokesperson emphasized, "For clarity, the former employee's declaration was terminated for reasons wholly unrelated to food labelling." Membership at Soho House begins at £291.67 per month, or £204.17 for those under 27. The group opened its first house in London in 1995 and now operates 46 locations across Europe, North America and Asia, alongside a collection of other up‑market hospitality businesses. The company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021, but its share price fell sharply in subsequent years as it struggled to turn a profit and faced accusations of losing its exclusivity. It was acquired by a consortium of investors last year, with actor Ashton Kutcher joining the board.