A SCOTTISH leisure club is facing a slew of negative reviews after cancelling a Reform UK event.
Kippie Lodge in Aberdeenshire, a £105-per-month private members’ club which operates as a non-profit, had been due to host a barbeque for supporters of Nigel Farage’s party before cancelling at the last minute, the Press and Journal first reported.
The lodge said it did not host political functions and the Reform event had been booked in error.
However, Reform activist and former candidate Claudia Leith noted that it had hosted a Conservative Women’s event on June 7, 2024 – less than a month before the General Election.
Writing a one-star review on Google for Kippie Lodge, Leith said: “Most disappointing to have the Reform UK BBQ cancelled. I booked this event over 6 weeks ago.
“The manager was welcoming and efficient and explained their policy that any political party event must not display any literature or banners which we were happy to abide with.
“We were called on Monday to say that our event was being cancelled at six days notice as ‘two committee members had objected to the booking’. This being despite events from the SNP and Conservatives have been held at this venue.
“As a mainstream party with a larger membership than any other political party in the north east I would suggest this may not have been the most sensible commercial or democratic decision.”
A spokesperson for Kippie Lodge told the Press and Journal that the committee members had been expressing concern about political events in general, not Reform UK specifically.
They said the country club is “apolitical” and the booking “shouldn’t have taken place”.
Other one-star reviews for the venue expressing anger at the cancellation have also appeared in recent days.
Cindy Thorenson said in her review: “I am writing to express my disappointment regarding the decision to cancel the Reform UK BBQ event at Kippie Lodge.
“Regardless of personal or political views, I believe venues should remain neutral and open to hosting groups with differing perspectives. By cancelling the event, it gives the impression of discrimination against people based on their political affiliation, which I feel goes against the principles of fairness and inclusivity. ESPECIALLY since you have allowed other political parties to host events in the past at your venue.”
Craig Beedie, leaving a one-star verdict on his account’s first-ever Google review, said: “Blatant discrimination on show by cancelling a booking at short notice for political reasons.”
Daniel Dunnit, also leaving a one-star review, said: “I just booked a BBQ here and arranged time off with my family only to find out it had been cancelled because Kippie Lodge didn't want to be associated with dirty Reform members. This is completely unacceptable.”
And David Lakin, leaving a three-star review, said: “I see the board has made the decision to cancel the Reform BBQ one week before it was due to take place – really poor form. It doesn’t surprise me from this weak and ineffectual board who appear to focus on the wrong issues.”
He added: “Reform are hardly a fringe party and weak leftist board members should get the Kippie house in order before cancelling events that will raise money for Kippie.”
The Kippie Lodge spokesperson told the Press and Journal that the club was “concerned about reputational damage” after cancelling the booking.
“We’re having discussions about how to approach this,” they added.
