PARENTS can be banned from buying more than two alcoholic drinks in Wetherspoon pubs if they are with their children, it has emerged.
The nationwide policy came to light when a poster was put up at the Robert Pocock pub in Gravesend, Kent following an incident of “unruly behaviour”.
The notice was put up at the pub last Sunday but has since been taken down. It follows a nationwide Wetherspoon policy, which individual managers can choose to enforce.
The poster read: “As part of our licensing it is our responsibility to ensure that we are protecting children from harm.
“Therefore adults in charge of children will be allowed to have one alcoholic drink and a further alcoholic drink with a sit-down meal.”
It went on to add after the limit had been reached staff would have the “legal right to refuse service of alcohol” to customers.
The boozer said the policy had not been “followed rigorously” in the past, but it would be taking the ban seriously this year.
Being drunk while in charge of a child under the age of seven in a public place is illegal according to the 1902 licensing act and drinkers can face a fine or even a month in prison in more severe cases.
The poster has sparked debate on social media.
Customer Jonjo O’Connell said he agreed with the rule “in principle” although warned it could be open to abuse.
He said: “Considering the type of parent it is aimed at, a pub is not a creche and I think some parents seem to forget that!
“Although I anticipate the rule will be circumvented by some just going around the corner to The Goose and staying there or returning later to the Pocock when a different shift arrives.”
A JD Wetherspoon spokesman said: “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.”
