A PUB landlord says he was turned away from a York nightclub – because of his £110 designer shirt.

Darren Benson said he was on a night out in the city centre with three friends when they decided to visit Club Salvation in Rougier Street.

He said a club doorman refused him admission because he was wearing a Henri Lloyd shirt and told him no one was allowed into the club wearing such a shirt.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Mr Benson, who runs the Half Moon at Strensall.

“The shirt, which has a small Henri Lloyd logo on the front, is a perfectly fine shirt, which I bought abroad for about 150 Euros and which I have worn to funerals in the past.

“As I was standing there, they were letting other people in who were wearing T-shirts.”

He said he and his friends were all in their thirties and included former doormen, who were also amazed by the policy.

“I was not drunk and I was not falling over,” Mr Benson said.

“I don’t drink a lot. I know as a licensee that a pub or club is entitled to refuse admission to anyone they want, and am aware of dress codes banning sportswear, for example, but this seemed such a bizarre reason to give.

“I have looked on Salvation’s website and can find no reference to Henri Lloyd shirts.”

A Club Salvation spokesman confirmed that a doorman had refused the customer admission because he was wearing a Henri Lloyd shirt, but said this was not a blanket policy applying to all customers at all times.

“It depends on the circumstances,” he said. “It depends on the person wearing it and other factors. The doormen are entitled to make their own judgment on whom they choose to admit.”

Asked what was the problem with Henri Lloyd shirts, he said: “In the past, we have had people wearing certain brands and problems have developed. It’s the person as much as the brand.”

Henri Lloyd said it was “perplexed” by the club’s decision.

Commercial director Graham Allen said: “It’s disappointing we have been brought into this argument.

“I have looked on Salvation’s website and can find no reference to Henri Lloyd. It’s perplexing.”

He said the company valued its customers and had offered Mr Benson a free item, which he understood the landlord intended to use to raise money for charity.