4:41PM, Thu Jun 13, 2013

Blue-Haired Goth Refused Entry To Pub In Newcastle With 'No Fancy Dress' Policy

By Jenny Wotherspoon Location: Newcastle

A blue-haired, heavily pierced Goth from South Shields has told Sky Tyne and Wear how he was refused entry to a Newcastle pub due to his choice of clothing.

Keiran Martin, who had been celebrating his 22nd birthday, says bouncers and doorstaff at Lady Greys told him "you can't come in here dressed like that... it's a respectable establishment."

Keiran, who helps organise Newcastle's annual Alternative Model of the Year competition, said: "What I was wearing is what I'd wear on a typical night out. Black jeans, black jacket, black shoes, military style, hair flipped over, piercings.

"It's just discrimination. You wouldn't say that to a gay person or a black person. It was embarrassing and it was hurtful and I can't believe it's happening in 2013."

A spokesperson for Lady Greys said: "While we do have a policy of no fancy dress in keeping with Lady Greys' clientele, our staff have no recollection of anyone being refused entry on the grounds that they were a Goth.

"If the gentleman concerned gets in touch we'll happily discuss it with him but we certainly do not discriminate against Goths."

In response to the statement Keiran said: "Well it's quite clear with the response the bar has given they need to review and asess their door policy as I clearly was singled out and discriminated against for whatever reason.

"Just because I'm dressed up for the night doesn't mean I'm in fancy dress and they need to rethink it before they offend anyone else."