Comedian Shappi Khorsandi boycotts Young’s pub

Khorsandi vented on social media after The Grange pub in Ealing asked her friend to leave the premises over a VPL (visible panty line).

Comedian and author Shaparak ‘Shappi’ Khorsandi took to social media to slam The Grange in Ealing, owned by Young’s pub group, for attempting to “police women’s clothing”.

Khorsandi was visiting the pub with a group of friends from the college where she is currently studying for a masters degree on the weekend of 12-13 July when one of her party was asked to leave due to a visible knicker line underneath her ankle-length skirt.

According to Khorsandi, the female manager of The Grange told the woman that her outfit was not appropriate “for a family pub”.

Khorsandi pointed out to her Instagram followers that the pub’s bar staff were wearing tops that showed their bra straps, and questioned how that was different to the outline of her friend’s underwear showing through her long skirt. Expressing disappointment over the group’s treatment by the pub, she added that she will not be returning to the pub.

“Policed for wearing summer clothes”

“Just a little reminder that women don’t need to be policed for wearing summer clothes,” Khorsandi wrote on Instagram.

“She was wearing a completely normal summer outfit. The female manager told her it was a “family pub” and to cover up.”

Iranian-British Khorsandi added: “Congrats @thegrangeealing, you’ve upset a beautiful human for not being a nun, and just lost the loyal post-class trade of your local college.”

Furthermore, Khorsandi accused a separate member of pub staff of “shoulder barging” her while she was raising concerns over her friend’s treatment.

The post, which at the time of writing had more than 4,000 ‘likes’, has been removed from Instagram.

Khorsandi, who was vice president of the Humanists UK association from 2019-2023, has previously said during an episode of Live at the Apollo: “I try so hard to be politically correct. Sometimes I take it too far.”

“Misjudged situation”

In a statement given to the drinks business, Young’s said:

“We recognise that on this occasion, our manager may have misjudged the situation in her interpretation of the smart casual dress code we respectfully ask customers of the Grange to adhere to, and we have apologised to the impacted party for any offence caused.

“We are working with the team at the Grange to ensure the pub remains an inclusive place for all, a key priority for us.”

Meanwhile, Young’s revealed this week that its revenue for the 14 weeks from 1 April 2025 was up 7% on the same period last year. CEO Simon Dodd said: “We are delighted to be reporting excellent trading over the first quarter of the new financial year…Young’s pubs are thriving, and our strategy of employing the very best teams, and maintaining a premium, well-invested and differentiated estate, continues to deliver industry-leading results.”

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