Pop singer-songwriter Raye has accused The Ivy Chelsea Garden, an upmarket restaurant in London, of racism after her white friend was let in but her black friend was not when they went for lunch on Monday.
The 20-year-old British singer posted a video to Twitter of her attempt to enter The Ivy Chelsea Garden, which has since been shared thousands of times. The venue denies any racist intent and insists it was simply enforcing a dress code.
“My colleague, who is a white girl, walked straight into the restaurant wearing sports gear and trainers,” said Raye to a reporter, “Then my black friend, who was wearing shorts and trainers, was refused entry.”
“I checked on the Ivy’s website and it says there is ‘no dress code,’” said Raya while commenting on the incident. “it is heartbreaking that this is still happening in my city.”
The restaurant have responded to the claims, and apologised for not making their dress code clearer to the website.
“The Ivy Chelsea Garden takes all allegations of racism extremely seriously and we will make sure that our dress code is explained to all guests so that this confusion does not happen again,” said the restaurant authority.
> Shatabdi Sarker Poushi
