Soho House claims ‘no evidence’ of food tampering as council investigation continues

The renowned Shoreditch Soho House has described alleged food safety breaches at its Shoreditch club as an “isolated incident,” despite Hackney Council confirming its investigation remains ongoing.

In an email to members, the private members’ club said its internal investigations and audits had found the incident to be isolated. It added that Hackney Council’s Environmental Health team had carried out a “full inspection of every food area” at Shoreditch House on Friday 2 October, finding “no evidence that shelf life was being extended.”

The club continues to give “no comment” to questioning members of the public despite confirming it retained “the highest food hygiene rating of five” in the email.

However, on Wednesday 14 October, a Hackney Council spokesperson stated that the investigation was still ongoing, maintaining their original statement: “We have received a report about food safety and hygiene at Shoreditch House and have opened an investigation.” The spokesperson added that the council had “nothing further to add at this time.”

The investigation follows allegations made by a former employee in September, who claimed they were dismissed after raising concerns about food being sold past its expiry date and labels being changed – considered illegal in the UK.

Becca Foord, 36, a Shoreditch resident, said she was considering cancelling her Soho House membership over the club’s response.

“I really don’t like the way they’ve brushed it under the carpet,” she said.

Foord questioned whether one inspection could establish the extent of the alleged practice, adding: “They need to provide more details in terms of their own evidence or audits as people could have gotten very sick as a direct result.”

In the same email sent to its members, Soho House also announced drastic refurbishment work at Shoreditch House, including a new gym-floor smoothie bar, with partial closure starting from Monday 19 October and reopening planned for mid-December.