The London Dungeon has apologized after sparking controversy for stating that it will “ban” vegans for the month of January.
The popular tourist attraction, found along London’s South Bank, made the announcement on the back of Veganuary, a campaign that sees hundreds of thousands of people across the world pledge to adopt a plant-based diet for 31 days.
The London Dungeon’s new “policy”- dubbed “VeBANuary” – was supposedly intended to run until the end of the month.
The attraction, which brings around 700,000 people through its doors every year, has since apologized, and confirmed that the anti-vegan ban was “not genuine.”
A spokesperson told My London: “Mrs Lovett has been a long standing, popular feature of the attraction given her well documented association with Sweeney Todd and questionable meat pies, so this January we are exploring the role she played in London’s dark history in more detail.
“We apologize for any upset this may have caused and would like to reassure guests that this is not a genuine exclusion as we welcome everyone to explore London’s gruesome history at the London Dungeon.”
London Dungeon sparks controversy
In the original statement announcing the move, the attraction said: “This Veganuary, the London Dungeon has decided to stand behind our Mrs Lovett and her iconic but somewhat suspicious meat pies. If she doesn’t do vegan, neither will we!”
It added: “So we’ve decided to not only ignore Veganuary but launch our very own version, denying entry to any vegan visitor who tries to darken our Dungeon. And the best bit, no need for additional security to help identify the veggie lovers, as we know they will most likely mention it within minutes of stepping foot into the attraction!”
The stunt raised eyebrows, with animal rights charity PETA UK releasing a statement about the matter.
“The London Dungeon is cutting off its nose to spite its face with this gimmick, losing business while vegans amuse themselves at Madame Tussauds, where famous vegans such as Benedict Cumberbatch are immortalized, and other iconic London attractions,” said Elisa Allen, Vice President of UK Programmes Operation at PETA UK.
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Excellent outcome, Veganism is logical like an Electric Vehicle vs ICE vehicle, no turning back.👍
Even as a supposed joke, this is not funny. Serve them right if vegans and vegetarians stay away in droves.
They were clearly so desperate for attention this month this was all they could conjure up.
Just sad to mock animal abuse and death once again, belittling what vegans stand for! Veganism is a protected characteristic, would they dare to ban other protected characteristics? No! Once again showing their lack of understanding. So sad they have given fHarmers and other anti-vegans a new ‘tag line’! Thanks for undoing all the good work genuine animal lovers are trying to achieve. Please go and visit a slaughterhouse and then laugh and joke about your publicity stunt! I won’t ever go here again. I’m sure other vegan families will also be put off using your ‘dungeon’. Why would we want to line the pockets of a company that joke about what we stand for!
Doesn’t sound like a joke to me after reading their original statement, I think it sounds unnecessarily but deliberately offensive.
Bit of a non-story – it’s just a daft joke that should never have been made. And you’ve given the Dungeon publicity here! Have to say, though, I’ve been, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
For Christ’s sake. This is not ‘news’. It’s just a tongue in cheek play with world current affairs.
it’s pathetic… doesn’t anyone understand that veganism is ALL ABOUT COMPASSION FOR THE ANIMALS !it’s literally just that, so why do people think so badly of us and assume it’s fine to berate us, make fun of us and literally hate us…. because we care ?
it’s a f**ked up world !
Of course it was a joke, just like you can joke about the colour of somebody’s skin or the faith they practice.
As a joke , VeBANuary was just crass and also illegal since veganism is a protected belief.
Well, I will still never visit now. I was planning to go in april. They can forget it. Not such a clever marketing ploy. I hope it cost the team behind it their jobs.
The ban will probably produce good publicity for veganism
This article is proof that a disproportionate amount of us vegans (and PETA) have no sense of humour or irony…. Oh well
Couldn’t agree more with this. I’m not vegan (and never will be), but it was clearly intended as a joke and they even said at the time something along the lines of “we’re not really banning vegans, it’s a joke”.
Unfortunately most of the comments here sum up exactly why vegans get so much stick. It’s a shame that more aren’t like you that can give and take a bit of banter.
Sorry, John. After 30 years I’m sick of it. It’s tired bs aimed at people doing what they can to avoid violence against animals. There’s nothing tongue in cheek about it, just a thin excuse to embarrass us. I like a good piss-take, but this doesn’t qualify.
Woah! I can’t believe that this company published this awful advertisement. What were they thinking? They thought it was funny but they went way too far.
Personally I believe that vegans should have attended. Identified themselves as such, been banned from entering and launched an action against The London Dungeon for distress caused etc. I can’t see this ban as lawful and I’m sure a vegan advocate could have secured damages against the business whilst the case would have encouraged Vegans worldwide to boycott the attraction. Just saying 👍