The Viper Rooms has introduced an "experienced picker" who sits in an office and watches the nightclub’s door camera before deciding which clubbers should be let in.

But angry clubbers have hit out at the Kingston nightclub’s door policy claiming it is "too strict" and unfair.

One customer, who did not want to be named, said: "I used to go to McClusky’s all the time and visited the Viper Rooms once before the licensing was changed with no issue.

"I have never been kicked out of any club and have a clean record so there is no reason I or my friends should have been turned away."

Surrey Comet:

The club says it "unashamedly operates a strict door policy"

The club was rebranded by owners Harewood as an upmarket cocktail bar at the end of August after more than a decade as McClusky’s.

Kingston Council imposed a list of 14 conditions on the new nightclub earlier this month after a fight involving a former staff member and the manager’s cousin temporarily closed the venue down at the end of October.

Harewood's Paul Kinsey said: "The Viper Rooms is Kingston’s most stylish venue and unashamedly operates a strict door policy.

"But our policy isn’t based on outdated dress codes or obscure rules. We have one admission rule which is that if we believe that you, or someone with you would be likely to spoil the night if we admitted you and your group we refuse the whole group. 

"We have an experienced ‘picker’ based behind a camera in the office who, judges whether they think the people trying to get in are right or not."

The new licensing conditions for the riverside venue in Thames Street include a decreased club capacity, down from 920 to 750 people, an earlier last admission time of 12.30am and an earlier closing time.

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