Wetherspoons is banning parents from buying more than two drinks if they have kids with them

The chain recently instigated the rule following an incident of so-called “unruly behaviour” (Photo: Shutterstock)The chain recently instigated the rule following an incident of so-called “unruly behaviour” (Photo: Shutterstock)
The chain recently instigated the rule following an incident of so-called “unruly behaviour” (Photo: Shutterstock)

Parents who visit a Wetherspoons pub with their children could now be banned from buying more than two alcoholic drinks, according to new rules.

The chain recently instigated the rule at a branch in Kent, following an incident of so-called “unruly behaviour”.

‘Protecting children from harm’

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A poster was put up at the Robert Pocock pub in Gravesend, Kent, last Sunday (19 Jan) informing pub-goers of the policy, The Mirror reports.

The notice has since been taken down, but the nationwide policy remains in place across the UK and can be enforced by individual managers at their own discretion.

The nationwide policy can be enforced by individual managers at their own discretion (Photo: Shutterstock)

The poster read, “As part of our licensing it is our responsibility to ensure that we are protecting children from harm.

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“Therefore, adults in charge of children will be allowed to have one alcoholic drink and a further alcoholic drink with a sit down meal.”

The notice went on to add that if the drink limit was exceeded, it would have the “legal right to refuse service of alcohol” to customers.

Encouraging responsibility

The pub chain said the policy had not been followed rigorously in the past, but that it would be taking the policy forward this year.

Commenting on the ban, a JD Wetherspoon spokesman said, “The notice was briefly up in the pub, but this is no longer the case.

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“The manager took the decision to put the poster in the pub to emphasise to customers that she would not allow parents to drink while their children were running round uncontrolled in the pub.

“The notice had a positive effect, with mostly good feedback.”