‘Sharia’ hotel bans pork and alcohol

A London hotel has banned alcohol and stripped pork from its menu after it was taken over by a Middle Eastern businessman.

The hotel’s restaurant used to be run by Masterchef judge Greg Wallace

London’s Bermondsey Square Hotel introduced the changes on Tuesday “in accordance with Sharia law” and is believed to be the first hotel in the UK to do so.

The hotel’s Bar and Grill Restaurant, which used to be run by Masterchef judge Greg Wallace, will now only serve soft drinks, a change confirmed by the hotel on its website which states: “We no longer sell alcoholic beverages at GB Grill & Bar – Please take a look at our comprehensive selection of soft drinks!”

Pork has also been stripped from its menu with chefs asked to source chicken and beef sausages instead of pork for its breakfast menu.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, one man said to be a regular at the hotel explained that when he asked why the hotel was no longer serving alcohol he was told that the new owner wanted it to be a “Sharia law hotel, and under Sharia law, you can’t make a profit from alcohol.”

Surprise at the changes was expressed by residents writing on the community website London SE1.

One poster, named Drgreenmark2, said: “This is a huge mistake. I am told all the alcohol has been removed and customers are already kicking off. And I don’t blame them. Who on earth believes a “dry” hotel and restaurent is going to work in central London, never mind Bermondsey square?!! This is not Saudi Arabia!!! I am really sad because this had become one of my local places of choice to hang out in. And directors if you are reading this, what on earth were you thinking when you signed up to this deal?”

While customers will not be allowed to order beer, wine or spirits, they will be permitted to purchase alcohol from outside the premises and drink it in their rooms.

Masterchef judge Wallace, who used to run the restaurant, is reported to have said last night: “It doesn’t bother me what the owner wants to do. It’s his religious point of view not to serve alcohol and pork and I respect that. I stay at the hotel and if I want to drink I go elsewhere.”

The hotel continues to be run by Bespoke Hotels, who declined to identify the new owner revealing only that it was Middle Eastern investor.