An NHS worker has demanded an apology from an Ashford nightclub after claiming she was turned away because of her size.

Amy Pitcher, 27, from Challock arrived at newly opened Cameo in Station Road, with four friends – one she had met through Slimming World – but says they were told they “did not fit the image of the club”.

Recently opened Cameo has strongly denied the claims.

Amy, who has been a Slimming World member for two years, said the doorman initially told them all tickets had sold out but claimed he later said they had actually been refused entry because two members of the group were too fat.

"We didn’t cause any trouble, none of us got angry and we just walked away shocked and quite embarrassed" - Amy Pitcher

She sent a complaint by email to the club manager but says that nearly two weeks later she has still not received a reply.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it. He [the doorman] said he didn’t want to hurt our feelings, but our size and style doesn’t go with image they want to promote.

“I was completely shocked, just stared at him and said ‘oh’.

“I am a size 18 and my friend is a 20. I was dressed appropriately and so were my friends.

“I was wearing an orange dress with a black jacket and sparkly heels. We didn’t cause any trouble, none of us got angry and we just walked away shocked and quite embarrassed.

“We had a good rant about them when we left and just tried to enjoy the rest of the night as best we could but it completely ruined our evening.

“I mean it’s not like we’re going to eat all the furniture and drink all the drinks!”

Amy and her friends had gone to the club on Saturday, December 6 – the night after it opened.

She added: “On the club’s Facebook page someone else said he had been turned away because he had long hair.

“I was shocked and upset because they were making judgement on the appearance of people’s sizes when I know from personal struggle how difficult it is to be accepted.

“Just because someone is skinny or prettier doesn’t mean they are nice people or not going to cause trouble in a club.

“Everybody is an individual; I mean the average size of the population is size 16.”

A Cameo spokesman strongly denied any discrimination and said: “We have just invested £1.25 million in creating a luxurious high-end club and to maintain standards, operate a strict dress code.

“We categorically refute these allegations; we do not discriminate against anyone on any grounds and positively welcome guests who comply with our smart dress policy.”

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