A landlady has banned all children under 12 from her pub after they caused ‘complete havoc’ on Father’s Day and ‘ruined everyone else’s lunch’.
Lucy Draper, 67, says parents did nothing to stop their little ones screeching and even had to move one table away because the noise was ‘unbearable’.
The Compass Inn, in New Forest, Hampshire, hit the headlines last year when under-12s were banned except for Sunday lunchtime to stop the pub turning ‘into a creche’.
But last weekend was the final straw, convincing Lucy, known as ‘Mop’ to locals’, to enforce a blanket ban.
The landlady of 26 years says she made the decision after a family with three children under five disturbed other customers.
She told the Advertiser and Times: ‘The children were jumping up and down on chairs, literally screeching. It was the kind of noise that goes straight through you.
‘We were packed because it was Father’s Day. The parents did nothing to stop them, even after I had a polite word.
![PIC FROM Kennedy News and Media (PICTURED: THE COMPASS INN, DECORATED TO CELEBRATE BREXIT DAY ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 31.) A landlady is facing the wrath of irate locals after announcing the pub was to be 'adults only' - banning under 12s to save the boozer from being 'a creche'. Lucy Draper announced her new no-child policy on The Compass Inn's Facebook page yesterday [Tuesday] as she banned youngsters from entering any time except Sunday lunchtimes. However the move has been branded 'inconsiderate' and 'ridiculous' as hundreds of customers took to social media to declare they would now boycott the establishment. DISCLAIMER: While Kennedy News and Media uses its best endeavours to establish the copyright and authenticity of all pictures supplied, it accepts no liability for any damage, loss or legal action caused by the use of images supplied and the publication of images is solely at your discretion. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 697 4266](https://usercontent.one/wp/www.newsgroove.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1626144579_746_Pub-landlady-bans-kids-for-good-because-they-are-‘feral.jpg?media=1711065099)
‘It ruined everyone else’s lunch. I had to move one table away from them because the noise was so unbearable. The kids were just feral.’
In an announcement on its Facebook page, the dog friendly and gluten free pub said: ‘Today we have yet again experienced a family with no respect for other diners as their children were so badly behaved.
‘When we take bookings we have no idea if children are going to behave in an adult environment.
‘Today we had complaints about the rowdy children, we had to move people to a quieter area, apologise for them and the staff had to put up with the backlash this family created.
‘All bookings we have already taken with children on a Sunday we will honour but as from today we will not be taking any further booking for children on a Sunday.
‘It’s a shame that I have had to make this decision but we are ultimately an adult only pub but some families disregard this fact that we expect their children to behave which unfortunately is not always the case.’
The family involved in Sunday’s incident appear to have left a one-star review on TripAdvisor, saying: I’m sad to say it was clear that staff weren’t huge fans of young children.
‘We noticed a scowl at one point, and felt they couldn’t get us out quick enough. There was no warmth or friendliness towards us but there was plenty to other customers.
‘Others were getting “see you again ” & “enjoy the rest of your day”. We were given the Bill without asking if we were finished & received a flat “thanks” upon paying. A simple smile costs nothing and goes a LONG way.’
Replying to the scathing review, Mop writes: ‘I would think that any pub you went to would not put up with your family.
‘You and families like you that hold no regard for other diners are the reason we went adult only.
‘Tables near to you complained about the noise and how unruly your children were. A few basic manners would not go amiss and disciplining you children on how to behave in public.’
The ban has had a mixed reaction on social media, with some criticising the pub for ‘punishing’ well behaved children and ‘tarring every family with the same brush’.
But Wendy Bruder wrote: ‘Good for you. Poorly behaved kids are the worst. Shame on their parents.’
Pierette Odgers added: ‘It’s a shame that some ruin it for others. I would have liked to have booked a family meal, as I’ve heard fantastic things about your food. My eldest is a coeliac. Nevermind, hopefully in 4 years time we can come as a family.’
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