Apology over nightclub 'fat' ban

A nightclub owner in Jersey has apologised to women turned away from his venue for being "too fat".

Martin Sayers said he made "a wrong decision" by refusing entry to about 25 women at the Havana Club in Bath Street, St Helier, on Saturday night.

"I'm just deeply sorry that people have been offended. It was a poor decision made," he said.

He was highly embarrassed over a "moment of madness" which would not be repeated, he told BBC News.

He said 'sorry you can't come through - you're too fat' Laurie Donaldson

"Anyone who was turned away will be very welcome in the future - there will be no restrictions," he said.

"I don't like upsetting people. I just offer my apologies unreservedly."

Laurie Donaldson, a size 20, said she was "shocked" at being barred.

"I went to go through the door," she said.

"Everyone else went through and the doorman stopped me from going through. He said: 'Sorry, you can't come through - you're too fat'.

"I was shocked at first and said: 'Are you joking?'. But he said: 'No, management doesn't want any big women in this venue'."

Chantelle Gould, who was also turned away with a friend, said the apology was too late.

"I wouldn't have minded if the bouncer hadn't given a reason, but he said: 'You're too fat, you need to lose weight'," she said.

Protest planned

Ms Gould said her friend was also humiliated at the club entrance.

"My friend is just a size 12, but she's big chested, so she looks bigger and she was turned away too," she added.

A spokeswoman for Jersey Police said officers had been called to the club.

"A lot of people were upset and angry, but there was no public disorder," she said.

Ms Donaldson has called for a peaceful protest outside the venue on Friday night.