Newtown’s Marlborough Hotel (affectionately known as The Marly) has sacked two security guards and issued a public apology following an incident over the weekend that witnesses have dubbed “disgraceful”.
A woman with cerebral palsy, out celebrating her 21st birthday on Saturday night, was denied entry to the venue because security guards mistakenly believed she was drunk.
But that’s not all. The seccas in question also reportedly mocked and taunted the woman.
Her friends and other eyewitnesses have flooded the venue’s Facebook page with one-star reviews to slam them over the incident, with one commentator claiming the bouncers “made fun of” and “insulted” the 21-year-old, and another alleging that one of them called her a “disabled bitch”.
“Disgraceful and discriminating behaviour by your door staff,” another commentator posted. “She was belittled and laughed at. Shameful!”
Now, the proprietors of The Marly have taken to Facebook to admit they got it wrong.
Their statement reads:
Dear friends,
We screwed up.
Early Sunday morning we refused entry to a young lady as we believed she was intoxicated. Reality was she had cerebral palsy. And it was her 21st birthday. And we ruined her night.
We apologise to the young lady, her friends and family. Unreservedly. We apologise for the humiliation and distress that we have caused.
We are committed to building awareness of this issue with our entire team through intensive anti-discrimination training.
Yours sincerely,
the Marly
Speaking with Fairfax, a spokeswoman for the venue’s owner Solotel has further confirmed that the two guards won’t be given any more work at any of their other venues, including the Albion, Clock Hotel, Courthouse Hotel, The Erko, Green Park Hotel, Kings Cross Hotel, and Opera Bar.
