Pub legal age question?

sophie131

Hiya!!
Really had no idea where to put this one, so I thought i'd put it here as I am a little bit cross with Whetherspoons!!

I was planning to go to the cinema last night, but our 2 for 1 (orange Wednesday) texts didn't come, so we went into town.
There were 4 of us, a 23 year old, 2 19 year olds and me 17. We went into a pub, more precisely Whetherspoons and ordered some food and sat in the designated 'family' area. Infact, right above my head was a sign saying kids could be in the pub until 9pm as long as they have an adult with them.

Anyway, the bouncers told us to leave as soon as we had finished eating (8pm) as I wasn't 18 - even though non of us were even drinking and all of the other people had I.D to prove they were infact adults!
To my understanding I was technically allowed to be there, so would it be worth emailing Whetherspoons?
I'm not very law knowlegeable though, so if anyone wants to tell me I was wrong, go ahead please!!

Thanks

robpw2

weatherspoons do not allow anyone under the age of 21 in without valid id after 9pm so they had everyright to ask you to leave

sophie131

I know I would have had to go at 9pm which would have been fine, but they came over to ask me to leave at 7.30pm.
The sign said kids had to go at 9pm which I would accept as being the time I had to go so why did they want me to go so much earlier?

pandora205

Hi. I've just asked my daughter who was working as a barmaid in Weatherspoons until recently. She said that the guidance is that children/young people under 18 are only allowed in the bar when they are eating.

Usually staff would ask families to leave when they have finished although generally they would give a few minutes grace. They would not be allowed to stay until 9 pm.

LittleVoice

Sophie - are you likely to want to go to that pub again before you are 18? If so, it would be worth contacting the manager there to clarify the situation.

However, though it is a public house, the publican can ask people to leave (though I can understand that your group of 4 wasn't doing anything to warrant the request).

dmg24

I can't remember exactly what the (W'spoons) rule is, but it is something along the lines that you are only allowed one drink after your meal if you are in a 'family' group.

pinkshoes

You were quite entitled to stay in there until 9pm as you were with adults, who weren't even drinking, so not going to exceed the "2 drinks" rule!

I've been in a wetherspoons with friends and their 2 year old until 8.58pm, at which time we had to leave due to (cranky!) child in pushchair!

I'd write a letter to headquarters telling them how rude their staff were, and that they can shove any future custom up their own @rses!*





*perhaps phrase that a little politer!

oneknight

Just in case anyone needs the address

JD Wetherspoon
Wetherspoon House
Reeds Crescent
Watford

01923 477777

Used to work for them and they really are a bunch of !!!!!!

Blacksheep1979

Just like any pub they can ask anyone of any age to leave at any time.

Bamber19

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

Just like any pub they can ask anyone of any age to leave at any time.

Exactly, she wasn't "quite entitled to be there" at all, they were, however, "quite entitled" to ask her to leave.

kr15snw

Ive always had problems with Wetherspoons. Ive been threatened to be chucked out at early evening (about 5) when there are large groups of families around. The fact I was 18 doesnt seem to matter to them. They generally dont ask me for ID, they just tell me I have to leave. When we ask why, 'your too young to be in here. Finish your meal and leave'.

Not once have they listened when we explain their are kids around (apparently its different as they are with parents and Im with boyfriend) and when I do then try to show them my ID I have been accused of showing fake ID, stealing the wallet etc etc. Only once have they accepted it was mine, did I get any sort of apology for being harassed? No, of course not!

Its a shame our local wetherspoons serves good food and is cheap, as the door staff and managment stink.