Diners left 'outraged' and 'appalled' after naked couple stroll into pub to enjoy meal
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Diners at a pub near Bristol were left in shock when a man and woman walked in for a meal - wearing no clothes at all.
The naturist pals visited the Somerset pub on June 2 and had plenty of eyeballs on them when they walked through the door.
Neil Cox and Danielle Quiggan claim that they had enjoyed a cold one in the buff the night before in Bristol, and that nobody had kicked up a fuss.
The same could not be said in the Somerset pub, the Railway Inn, where a few families were present.
Naturism is not a criminal offence in the UK, with Crown Prosecution Service guidance explaining: "In the case of naturism a balance needs to be struck between the naturist's right to freedom of expression and the right of the wider public to be protected from harassment, alarm and distress.
"In the absence of any sexual context and in relation to nudity where the person has no intention to cause alarm or distress it will normally be appropriate to take no action unless members of the public were actually caused harassment, alarm or distress."
Whilst Cox and Quiggan were seated for a meal, other patrons took to TripAdvisor to leave complaints against the pub, with many claiming they had been left 'speechless'.
One patron even got up and headed to another venue, writing in her review: "We visited the pub this evening (Friday) at 6pm to have dinner. Whilst ordering drinks a couple walked up to the bar naked which was a shock for all in the pub.
“We expected the bar man to refuse to serve them. There were several families with children in the pub, including ourselves, therefore it was not appropriate for them to be served.
"We decided to leave the pub and find somewhere else for dinner in town. Unfortunately another family were not able to as they had already ordered food.
"If you advertise as a family pub you should maintain these values.
"Locals who frequent the pub apologised to us, but the staff seemed to think this was okay. Very disappointing."
Another customer fumed: "Appalling. If you want to go to a family pub with average food and staff serving a naked man accompanied by a naked woman then this is for you.
"Took parents. Outraged."
Cox, who has been a naturist for several years, had been visiting the West Country from Cheshire.
He said: "During our break away we were naked most of the time. Where I live there are shops, grocery stores and pubs where I go in regularly that accept I am a naturist.
"We don't think the reaction on TripAdvisor was reflective of what actually happened in the pub in Burnham-on-sea. It was a new place and people were not expecting it and there was an element of surprise when we first walked in.
"We sat in the corner of the pub and had our meal. People quickly went back to their drinks and got on with their day.
"After all two naked people sitting in a corner of a pub having a beer and burger quickly becomes boring. Several people came over to us whilst we were there to have a chat and ask questions or request a photo. We had checked with the pub first and got their permission to visit."
A spokesperson for the Railway Inn said: "We have received both negative and positive comments which we have taken on board, however naturism is legal within the UK and we pride ourselves on inclusivity and welcome everyone's individuality and differences."
