Leon Jennings visited Birmingham's Star City complex with two friends
Claims security guard said film showings at
Vue were only for Muslims
Allegedly told his group that they 'did not
look like they celebrated Eid'
Venue based in Aston area of city, where 87%
residents are non-white
Vue is investigating and 'sincerely
apologises for inconvenience caused'
Star City management claim 'there is no truth
in the recent allegations'
A sales consultant was allegedly turned away from a busy cinema yesterday because he was not a Muslim celebrating Eid.
Leon Jennings had been visiting
Birmingham’s Star City entertainment complex with two friends.
But as the 22-year-old tried to enter
the Vue cinema based on the site, which includes dozens or bars and
restaurants, he said he was turned away by a security guard.
After asking them why, Mr Jennings claimed he was told by staff that
film showings were only for couples and families celebrating the end of the
Muslim festival.
Mr Jennings and his three friends were
allegedly forced to turn around and go home unable to watch a film at the
complex, because ‘they did not look like they celebrated Eid’.
Today he said he was left feeling
embarrassed by the incident and felt discriminated against for being white.
The revelation has caused outrage as other visitors reported similar
experiences across the venue, which is based in the Aston area of the city,
where 87 per cent of residents are from an ethnic group other than white.
Mr Jennings, a viewing consultant at a
photography studio, from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, said: ‘I was going there
with my pals to the cinema as it’s Orange Wednesdays, so you get two for one.
‘As we drove in the bloke on the gate
said to use “not tonight guys, it’s couples and families only”. We thought he
was just joking and went and parked up.
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