A pub has sparked debate online after forcing punters to adhere to a strict list of rules – or risk being banned.
The modern pub has to be many things these days, with customers often expecting everything from old school pints and classic meals like fish and chips to more recent staples like prosecco and halloumi fries, all under one cosy roof.
But while some establishments are choosing to cater for everyone in order to make things work in the difficult current climate, others are sticking to their guns to keep things as they’d like.
One pub in Yorkshire has banned children, muddy boots, dogs, swearing and devices like phones, iPads and laptops in a bid to remain a ‘traditional’ business.
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The Boot and Shoe Inn in Tockwith, which is owned by Samuel Smith’s, ended up going viral after a photo of the rules was posted on Twitter by Leon Foster, who wrote: “The full range of Sam Smiths bans on offer here - appears children are now banned ‘temporarily’.”
Details of the temporary ban on children appeared in a poster in the pub’s window, with a message from someone named Tracey saying: “For the time being children will only be allowed in the beer gardens. They must stay at your table and not running around.
"They cannot come inside the pub and must be accompanied by an adult when they go to the toilet. All children have to be off the premises by 8pm. We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused."
As for electronic devices, the pub added: “The ban includes receiving or sending texts, taking or viewing photographs, emailing, using games, apps, Google, Facebook, Messenger, etc, etc. We want our traditional pub to be a haven for social conversation.”
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Other rules include people removing muddy boots and work shoes before entering the pub ‘unless [they are] clean’ and a ‘zero tolerance policy against swearing’.
The posters featured the logo for Samuel Smith’s, a pub chain that is known for its strict rules in many of its venues.
One fellow Twitter user commented: “I like Sam’s pubs too. They are traditional enough without banning everything, it’s getting stupid now. I trust you are aware of how many are closed because of these and other, daft rules?”
Someone else asked: “What part of ‘hospitality’ do they not understand?”
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A third wrote: “I don't wanna call anyone out, as pubs are hard and I can perhaps guess what these rules are about...but if I'm correct, then I think Tracey, needs to rethink their career choice.
"A pub exists at the mutual benefit of landlord and customers. Not at one another's expense.”
Some people, however, welcomed the rules, with one writing: “Seems fairly reasonable to me. I’m sure many other pubs that allow children operate a similar policy.”
One other said: “I'm down with a child ban. Not so much the dog ban.”
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A spokesman from Boot & Shoe Inn, who did not want to give a full statement, told Yorkshire Live: "It's a brewery decision to ban them."
LADbible has reached out to Samuel Smith’s for comment.
Topics: UK News
Jess Hardiman