The Quayside - JD Wetherspoon — Restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne

I am writing to lodge a formal and serious complaint regarding an incident of racial discrimination and unprofessional conduct that occurred at your Quayside Wetherspoon location in Newcastle.

We were a group of five adults, all over the age of 25, who visited the premises for a peaceful evening. Upon entry, we were asked for identification by the bouncer at the door — a standard and expected procedure, which we fully complied with. Once inside, we were again asked to show ID by the waiter who served us our drinks. We cooperated without hesitation and provided the required documents.

However, around 9:30 PM, a different bouncer named Connor approached our group and demanded to check our IDs again. Notably, we were the only visibly non-white group in the entire venue, and the only group subjected to being ID’d three separate times — an act which felt targeted and unjustified.

We once again provided valid identification, including physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), which are official Home Office-issued documents proving our right to live, work, and stay in the UK. Connor rejected our BRPs, stating he would only accept passports or driving licences — both of which are not legally required if a BRP is presented. When we offered our Home Office e-visas as further proof of identity and legal status, he again dismissed them without cause.

His behaviour was aggressive, demeaning, and overtly rude. He told us we had five minutes to finish our drinks — which we had already paid for — and insisted we leave the premises immediately afterward. This experience was not only humiliating but deeply distressing.

We are appalled at the discriminatory treatment we received. The fact that our group — the only people of colour in the venue — were singled out for repeated ID checks and ultimately removed, despite fully complying with all legal and venue-related requirements, makes this appear as a clear act of racial profiling and bias.

We expect a full investigation into this matter, including:

An explanation of your venue’s ID policy and whether BRPs and Home Office e-visas are considered valid.

Why our group was subjected to triple ID checks when others were not.

What actions will be taken regarding the unacceptable conduct of the door supervisor, Connor.

What steps Wetherspoon is taking to ensure your venues are safe and inclusive spaces for all patrons, regardless of race or immigration status.

We are deeply disappointed and shocked by this experience and expect a timely and serious response. We are also considering escalating this matter further to relevant authorities including the Equality and Human Rights Commission and local licensing bodies if no satisfactory resolution...

Tried to get in here on a few different occasions and the door service is extremely unfriendly and unkind. One occasion only a few weeks ago me and my partner tried to enter, however they did not accept his perfectly legal ID, then we tried to get a second opinion by the bouncer around the back and he just waved us away and didn’t even give us the time of day. Today we tried to enter for a best friends 22nd after attending the Newcastle races, and as soon as we arrived 2 of the 10 of us were denied entry, one of which works for ‘Spoons herself. She then tried to ask why and was told she was too drunk, when she clearly was not, and the same to another friend. The friend that works at spoons then, again, tried to get a second opinion by the other doormen but before she could even do this, what appeared to be a manager, radioed to the other security her exact description and what she looked like when ALL of us were still stood there. I then questioned this with her and made her aware that this said friend is an employee of ‘Spoons and if she was too drunk, she would know not to come in that state. And the reply by, again, what appeared to be a manager, was ‘the door man has already decided.’ I have been to many other Wetherspoon's across the country for food and drinks and have never had a problem with any other. I am still yet to even see what the establishment looks like inside because of this disgraceful behaviour by door management. I have never even had this treatment anywhere else. Do better. If I don’t receive a response by ‘the owner’ in the next few weeks, I will be taking this further, as I say, I have never had this at any other ‘Spoons ever. Oh, and to add. None of us were ‘drunk’ or ‘had too much to drink’ the prices at the races?! Too expensive to even think about having too...

My fiancé has dispraxia and we were refused service because she was 'too clumsy' After the manager (james ) realised his mistake he tried to ban our entire group. . She ordered cokes . We were totally sober and aparrantly not knowing the road we were on (we are from gloucestershire) was proof thayt we were drunk. I'm absolutely disgusted by the treatment my fiancé has recieved , and there needs to be serious training about people without obvious disabilities. It's taken me months to convince her to come out of her shell and clearly a power mad man without the ability to apologies has totally undone all that hard work. All I can say is the security and police were lovely and totally agreed with us , but unfortunately could not overturn the 'managers ' desicion'. I frequently attend werherspoons and unfortunately, despite all other wetherspoons being brilliant, the manager got aggressive and tried to intimidate us. Luckily the police were there and told him he was out of order and to go back inside . Totally unacceptable behaviour and a total miss use of power. Never had a problem at a wetherspoons but unfortunately this experience has totally tainted the brand. I asked the manager for his details but he told me 'he didn't need to tell me his full details as my partner was drunk'. I totally understand pub staff have a duty of care for their patrons and totally understand they are responsible, but this was totally a manager who acted rashley and A. Was too short sighted to ask/ listen about my partners disabilities and B. Was too imature and fragile to accept he had made a mistake. Totally out of order and shocking. Serious work needs to be done done drag this pub/manager into the 21st century. Totally...