Manchester Evening News readers have had their say after a pub landlord sent a message to parents after being injured by an unattended child
Landlords Kenny and Cath Pollard(Image: George and Dragon)
Manchester Evening News readers showed their support for a landlord who called for parents to keep a closer eye on their kids. Kenny Pollard sent a friendly ‘reminder’ to parents that ‘this is a pub… not a crèche’ after being injured at his George and Dragon pub in Chester last week.
A child was running around crashed into him while he was carrying a bowl of hot soup, resulting in a burn to his arm. In a message to customers on the pub’s Facebook page, he said: “Thankfully it was spilled on me and not on the child’s face, because it could have been far more serious.
“We are absolutely a family-friendly pub and genuinely appreciate families supporting us. But recently too many people seem to sit down, relax, and forget where their children are while they run around both inside and outside the pub.”
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Kenny, who runs the Tarvin pub with wife Cath, as well as The Red Lion which sits opposite, added: “While many customers love seeing families enjoying themselves, others simply want a quiet drink or meal without children charging around the venue.
George and Dragon pub in Chester has issued a statement to parents(Image: Google Maps)
“So from now on, if your children are running around the pub, staff will politely ask you to stop them. Please don’t take offence when this happens – we are simply trying to protect customers, children, and our staff.
“At the end of the day: this is a pub… not a crèche.”
Readers have been quick to share their views on the incident, with dozens taking to social media to back the landlord, saying ‘pubs should be a kid free zone’.
“Kids should not be in pubs,” said Elaine Price, responding to the story on the Manchester Evening News’ Facebook page. “This is a very bad learning curve as children grow up thinking drinking is normal… there are many parks where children could be taken to plus many lovely child friendly places to eat.. I’m sure the kids would enjoy a lot more.. parents should be thinking about them not themselves while they are setting bad examples drinking alcohol.”
“I am not a fan of kids in a pub at all,” said Jayne Austin. “I went with my parents when I was young on the very odd occasion and we sat still with a coke n bag of crisps. These days with a lot of pubs offering food (they need to to stay open), lots of families go for food and a drink. Unfortunately a lot of parents just allow the kids to run wild. Absolutely not a chance. Control your kids when in an adult place.”
And Sandra Holden-Reid added: “Most of the parents seem to take their kids as they assume someone else will look after them…while they get pi**ed.”
Reader Jonathan Spindler commented that it’s not just pubs that parents treat as a playground.
“Some parents just don’t seem to care these days and expect others to just ‘deal with it’,” he said. “It’s not only in pubs, but in other establishments like cinemas, restaurants and retail shops for example. Parents need to stop treating these places like playgrounds for their kids and if they don’t like it, well, they should be the ones to ‘deal with it’.”
Not everyone is against the idea of allowing children inside pubs however, with one saying: “I’d find a new pub, where kids aren’t welcomed.”
The pub in Chester (Image: Google Maps)
Another suggested having an area cordoned off for families and leaving the rest of the space for other customers.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News about the incident, Kenny stressed that the George and Dragon is very child friendly, with games for children to play at the tables and hosting family fun days and breakfast with Santa events.
“I don’t want people thinking we hate kids, but this incident scared me,” he said. “I’m 48 and obviously don’t want to be burnt, but could you imagine if it was the child’s face. The parents did say sorry but still didn’t stop the child in question wandering about the pub.”
What do you think about pubs having to ask parents to watch their children? Is this a problem you have encountered? Do you take your own children to the pub? Let us know your views in the comments here.
