After two UK landlords grabbed headlines for their controversial decision to ban kids from their pub, we ask whether you think it’s a good idea?
Two landlords sparked controversy after banning children from their Kent boozer – but do you think kids should be allowed in pubs?
Mandy Keefe and John Forge reopened The Wheel Inn in Westwell, near Ashford, last week after a two year closure to renovate the pub. However, they imposed an interesting new rule that provoked debate online – no kids under the age of 14.
The pair defended their decision, explaining that they hoped to create an adult-only space where customers didn’t need to censor their speech, saying patrons no longer need to ‘watch their language’ while drinking. Mr Forge said: “We’re getting older people saying, ‘Brilliant, we don’t want bloody kids running about.’ We get people actually standing at the bar saying, ‘This is great because we don’t have to worry.’
“You’re drinking – you’re taking a legal drug. You’re then, at times, behaving inappropriately. Customers have said it’s brilliant because they don’t have to watch exactly what they’re saying.”
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While the landlords claim to have received positive feedback in person, the decision was slammed by some online as ‘archaic’. A mum local to the village said: “It will please a very small demographic, unfortunately not the future one.
“Even when my kids come ‘of age’, I don’t get the impression they’ll be welcomed with open arms. It’s archaic and just a shame more than anything. We’re gutted as we were looking forward to getting to know people in the village.”
The landlords defended their decision, saying they aren’t aiming to promote loud swearing or create a rowdy atmosphere. Ms. Keefe told KentOnline: “Do people really want their children in that sort of adult environment? Also, what is there for children to do? So, they get bored. Then they start to run, they start to cry, or they get shouty. That impacts on those people who have come in here for a quiet, adult time.”
The pair, who took over the Wheel Inn in March 2022, have insisted they won’t change their rules following backlash, with Mr Forge saying: “I really couldn’t give a toss about them because what you’ll find is that they’re actually hypocrites. At the end of the day – when their kids have grown up – 90 per cent of them will want to go to a child-free environment.”
Ms Keefe took issue with the fact that criticism had only appeared online and not in person: “When the signs went up, nobody came to speak to us. Not one person. It’s a close-knit community, and then suddenly you look on what is the village’s Facebook page, and you see it being slated.
“It’s not very pleasant. It felt like I was being bullied into changing my mind rather than coming in the door and asking why we’ve done it.”
Licencing laws were relaxed in 1995 officially allowing children under the age of 14, who were previously banned from pubs, to enter drinking establishments. However, the Licencing Act 2003 allowed landlords, such as Ms Keefe and Mr Forge, to impose their own rules in relation to children
What do you think? Should kids be banned from pubs? Take our poll and expand on your thoughts in the comments.
