Two landlords who banned children from their village pub have said they “couldn’t give a toss” about the backlash on social media.
Mandy Keefe and John Forge welcomed punters back to The Wheel Inn in Westwell, near Ashford, last week after it had been closed for more than two years.
The couple, who bought the village’s only pub in March 2022, renovated and extended the venue, which also features an adjoining tea room.
But one clientele group was missing from the opening party – children.
The couple said the decision not to admit under 14s stemmed from a lack of adult-only spaces and relaxed environments where people do not have to mind their language.
Mr Forge, 59, told KentOnline: “We’re getting older people saying, ‘Brilliant, we don’t want bloody kids running about.
“Customers have said it’s brilliant because they don’t have to watch exactly what they’re saying.”
The publicans have said they do not want to facilitate a rowdy atmosphere or encourage swearing and shouting but “it still happens”.
Ms Keefe said: “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.
“We’ve had people in here sitting all evening on the sofas, meeting up with their friends, having a nice chat, and all have said what a lovely atmosphere it is.
“Unfortunately, part of that lovely atmosphere is no children.”
Up until 1995, it was illegal in England and Wales to bring under 14s into pubs.
The Licensing Act 2003 gave pubs and restaurants the power to operate their own policies in their venues relating to children.
Ms Keefe, who has grown-up children, said the Wheel Inn’s rule is “to some extent” an ode to the glory days of the boozer.
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***The Telegraph reports:***
Two landlords who banned children from their village pub have said they “couldn’t give a toss” about the backlash on social media.
Mandy Keefe and John Forge welcomed punters back to The Wheel Inn in Westwell, near Ashford, last week after it had been closed for more than two years.
The couple, who bought the village’s only pub in March 2022, renovated and extended the venue, which also features an adjoining tea room.
But one clientele group was missing from the opening party – children.
The couple said the decision not to admit under 14s stemmed from a lack of adult-only spaces and relaxed environments where people do not have to mind their language.
Mr Forge, 59, told KentOnline: “We’re getting older people saying, ‘Brilliant, we don’t want bloody kids running about.
“Customers have said it’s brilliant because they don’t have to watch exactly what they’re saying.”
The publicans have said they do not want to facilitate a rowdy atmosphere or encourage swearing and shouting but “it still happens”.
Ms Keefe said: “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.
“We’ve had people in here sitting all evening on the sofas, meeting up with their friends, having a nice chat, and all have said what a lovely atmosphere it is.
“Unfortunately, part of that lovely atmosphere is no children.”
Up until 1995, it was illegal in England and Wales to bring under 14s into pubs.
The Licensing Act 2003 gave pubs and restaurants the power to operate their own policies in their venues relating to children.
Ms Keefe, who has grown-up children, said the Wheel Inn’s rule is “to some extent” an ode to the glory days of the boozer.
**Full story:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/11/pub-no-children-controversy/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/11/pub-no-children-controversy/)
This is “news” according to the Torygraph.
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