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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Pub chain limits parents' drinks | Pub chain limits parents' drinks |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Adults with children are only allowed two alcoholic drinks at JD Wetherspoon pubs in order to limit their stay, the chain has confirmed to the BBC. | Adults with children are only allowed two alcoholic drinks at JD Wetherspoon pubs in order to limit their stay, the chain has confirmed to the BBC. |
| A spokesman for the company said it was "uncomfortable" with children being on the premises for long periods because of a lack of play facilities. | A spokesman for the company said it was "uncomfortable" with children being on the premises for long periods because of a lack of play facilities. |
| And he said parents visiting its pubs could even be refused soft drinks or coffee to curtail their stay. | And he said parents visiting its pubs could even be refused soft drinks or coffee to curtail their stay. |
| There are 683 Wetherspoon pubs throughout the UK. | There are 683 Wetherspoon pubs throughout the UK. |
| Segregated areas | Segregated areas |
| The drinks policy came to light when Stephen Gandy contacted the BBC after visiting a Wetherspoon pub in Wallasey on Merseyside for a meal with family and friends. | The drinks policy came to light when Stephen Gandy contacted the BBC after visiting a Wetherspoon pub in Wallasey on Merseyside for a meal with family and friends. |
| The group was told that they could not have more than two alcoholic drinks each because they were with a child, even though the child's mother was only drinking water. | The group was told that they could not have more than two alcoholic drinks each because they were with a child, even though the child's mother was only drinking water. |
| Imagine a foreign visitor coming in and getting told that - it's unreal Stephen Gandy | Imagine a foreign visitor coming in and getting told that - it's unreal Stephen Gandy |
| Mr Gandy said they were told by the bar's manager that the aim of the restriction was to comply with "child cruelty legislation". | |
| "I tried to tell him that I understand and know the legislation and it's not in relation to cruelty but in relation to comfort, environmental conditions and segregated areas and a comfortable environment for children," Mr Gandy added. | |
| "But he was having none of it and the choice was we could stay but the child would have to go. Obviously we didn't want that so we proceeded to another establishment that made us welcome. | "But he was having none of it and the choice was we could stay but the child would have to go. Obviously we didn't want that so we proceeded to another establishment that made us welcome. |
| "Imagine a foreign visitor coming in and getting told that - it's unreal." | "Imagine a foreign visitor coming in and getting told that - it's unreal." |
| When the BBC contacted JD Wetherspoon, spokesman Eddie Gershon confirmed the policy was in place, but denied it had anything to do with child cruelty laws. | |
| Mr Gershon said: "Wetherspoons is quite clear it wants children in its pubs but it's not a children's pub in as much as a Wacky Warehouse or that type of place. | |
| "What we don't want is the adult just staying and drinking in the pub while the child is just sitting there and we will 100% back our manager in the approach he has taken." | "What we don't want is the adult just staying and drinking in the pub while the child is just sitting there and we will 100% back our manager in the approach he has taken." |
| In relation to Mr Gandy and his friends, Mr Gershon added: "The only people they need to look at are themselves." |