The heroic actions of two door staff at the iconic Two Brewers nightclub in Clapham was recognised over a year after two men were stabbed in a ‘homophobic’ attack.
The random attack on Sunday night August 13 last year shocked the nation as major names from the LGBTQIA+ spoke out against the crime.
Drag Race UK star Baga Chipz, who works at the Two Brewers, told 5 News: “I’ve worked at the Two Brewers for 15 years, I perform there regularly, I performed there last week. I was supposed to be there when it happened, I do their Sundays all the time.
“I’m angry, but I’m also shocked, because these are our safe spaces, this is where LGBTQ+ people go to have fun, have a drink, let their hair down and you can’t even be safe.”
Comedian Julian Clary posted: “Just awful. We cannot and will not go back to living in fear.”
Witnesses and Drag act Mary Mac, who was performing at the venue that night, immediately praised security staff for helping to keep other patrons safe from the attack.
At around 10.15pm two men in their 20s and 30s were among a crowd standing outside the popular gay bar on Clapham High Street, when they were approached by a man with a knife who attacked them before running away.
The attacker is said to have lunged over the smoking area barriers and injured both men, with both obtaining head injuries and requiring hospital treatment.
The victims managed to escape from their attacker, running into the venue while door security, Itua Moses and Wyn Mowatt, acted quickly to rush them and all guests from the smoking area into the venue.
Once everyone was inside the venue, Moses and Mowatt bolted the doors to ensure the safety of everyone inside. Their quick thinking and bravery in initiating an invacuation meant the attacker could not harm anyone else.
Moses and Mowatt then calmly provided vital first aid, staying with the victims until ambulances arrived to take them to the hospital.
The guests, staff, and police all could not speak more highly of the men’s actions, with the duo receiving the Star Award by Paul Wotton from the National Pubwatch during a recent ceremony at the Two Brewers.
Thankfully, both victims recovered from their injuries and police launched a manhunt to try and find the suspect. A 19-year-old man was arrested in South Norwood in September 2023, on suspicion of two counts of GBH.
Jimmy Smith, General Manager of the Two Brewers, said: “I’m thrilled to see both men’s actions recognised. Their quick thinking and bravery will have helped potentially save lives and prevent further injuries, and I can’t thank the two men enough for what they did.
“The police and members of the public all highly commended Moses and Mowatt’s actions as they both went above and beyond to make guests feel safe in a dangerous situation.”
