'I felt humiliated,' disabled student denied entry to Dalston nightclub over safety fears

Upset: Katouche Goll was left in tears after being denied entry to Visions Video Bar in Dalston
Katouche Goll
Jamie Bullen9 September 2016

A university student has told how she felt “humiliated” after she was denied entry to a Dalston nightclub because of her disability.

Katouche Goll, 19, said she was left in tears after she was turned away by bouncers at Video Visions Bar in Kingsland Road on Friday night.

The teenager, a student at SOAS, was born with cerebral palsy and uses walking sticks to aid her movement.

Nightclub bosses admitted Miss Goll was too great a “safety risk” to be allowed inside the venue, adding she arrived without informing staff of her condition.

But Miss Goll told the Standard she had phoned the club hours before her visit and that she received no response.

Scene: Katouche Goll was denied entry to Video Visions Bar, a basement club on Kingsland Road, Dalston
Google Maps

She said: “I did call ahead but I got no reply. I’ve had this disability my whole life so I know what to do when going to places.

“I often phone ahead and funnily enough was in another club in Dalston the night before where the bouncers were wonderful in assisting me.

“When it happened I was very upset. It is very strange to be turned away from a nightclub on those grounds. I felt humiliated.”

Miss Goll reported the incident on Twitter which sparked a mixed reaction from users and led some to call for a boycott of the venue.

She added: “I wanted to draw attention to it because I don’t think people should feel comfortable going to places that not everyone can go to.

“I live an active life, I like going out and meeting my friends and although I obviously won’t go back to Visions it won’t affect me in the future.

“We have the Paralympics on now which is great and people should be inspired yet we still get instances where I am turned away from a nightclub.

“In terms of our daily society we have a long way to go.”

Gianno Parris, manager of Visions Video Bar, said a number of considerations were made before the decision was taken to refuse Miss Goll entry.

He said: “Safety is the magic word that rests on the mind of every well ran licensed venue. Especially in times like these where Londons's nightlife is under attack.

“If someone has a disability which inhibits their movement or the movement of those in close proximity, it's important that we are notified in advance so that we can make adequate preparations and where possible nullify any hazards.

“Unfortunately in the early hours of Saturday, Katouche Goll turned up at the venue without notifying us.

“Our security considered wether we could make an exception for her, but after observing her navigate the pavement and taking into consideration the capacity of the venue at time, potential alcohol consumption and the steep staircase leading down into the basement, it was considered too great a safety risk for all in attendance including her.”

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