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Unfair Treatment of Parent and toodler in Pub

86 replies

nomik · 10/02/2015 14:13

I'm looking for a bit of advice after what I feel was unfair treatment (possibly discrimination) to people with young children in a pub. A friend and I visited the White Hart pub in Richmond two Saturdays ago with my 20 month old boy. We carried the buggy up about 7 steps into the pub which is fine, however when we got into the pub a member of staff told us that the family area of this pub was up another 7 step! We were like...ok, but then the member of staff told us that no buggies are allowed in this area due to lack of space! (I have been in this part before, its a large room, much larger than many of the cafes I've taken the buggy into). So then I said, ok, are highchairs upstairs? To which the staff member replied, No we don't have highchairs, they take up too much room. To this response I was very shocked, how can we eat in here? We asked the staff member this, and his reply was very nonchalant, no alternative offered, basically he didn't care. Being shocked with this attitude we decided to leave, We spoke to the assistant manager before we left, who carried on the un-supportive attitude saying that it's a listed pub and there is no space, but when we asked what families should do with young children, he said that they should bring booster seats with them! I have since emailed the manager and the brewery, Youngs, to which the operations manager got back to me with a very unacceptable response, not answering any of my questions, saying they are not discriminating and that I could go to another Youngs pub which has more room. I emailed again asking her to answer my questions, to which she responded some days later with a very vague, not really answering anything I asked, nor even caring how they made me feel, nothing. I just want to know if anyone else has experience anything like this, as in all the 20 months I have been going to cafes, restaurants and pubs with my baby and his buggy, I have never had treatment like this before. If the pub was so small I would understand, but it really isn't, there is lots of room. I am so shocked they can't even accommodate highchairs and I feel other mums should now about this seeing that the White Hart is right on the river in Richmond and a popular location. I just feel that I have been discriminated against. I could have my son on my lap, but at 20 months, he doesn't sit still for a second! Plus, having a family room upstairs, I feel this is a bit dangerous too.

OP posts:
SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 10/02/2015 16:05

I'm going to sound very old here - but do you remember when pubs were a place for adults to smoke & drink and "family room" meant an outbuilding with a pool table & a few chairs in?

I have never assumed that my DCs would be welcome in a pub unless it is specifically advertised as family friendly/children welcome. Lots of pubs around here serve food but aren't child friendly. It's not unusual Confused

ExitPursuedByABear · 10/02/2015 16:06

As does BD

Unfair Treatment of Parent and toodler in Pub
AgathaF · 10/02/2015 16:08

Oh, I love a pub that discourages young children and babies. Can't really see why they should be accommodated in what is traditionally an adult environment. I certainly don't want to go to a pub to see a mountain of buggies parked up. Plenty of other places you can take your child - I suggest you use one of them.

Pagwatch · 10/02/2015 16:13

Awww Exit.

nomik · 10/02/2015 17:36

Wow...never thought I could offend so many people...I get the message, I was wrong to feel how I did (I suppose some mums are more sensitive than others). Thanks for all your advice anyway.

OP posts:
projecting · 10/02/2015 17:39

Haha we're not offended! Why would we be offended?

You were just incorrect in your view. Not offensive Smile

RiverTam · 10/02/2015 17:41

don't think anyone was offended. I also don't think it's got anything to do with being sensitive - just aware that not everywhere has to cater to children and there are things you yourself can do to make it easier.

It's pretty off to come on to a public forum and slag off a named premises that hasn't actually done anything wrong. I hope you haven't gone onto Trip Advisor and made similar comments?

CultureSucksDownWords · 10/02/2015 17:41

Not offended in the slightest. Just didn't agree with you, sorry.

Lj8893 · 10/02/2015 17:45

Not offended.

and your not wrong to feel the way you did, everyone is entitled to feelings. But to call it discrimination was incorrect.

i think we were all just (in the nicest possible way) trying to hand you a grip. Smile

Heels99 · 10/02/2015 17:45

There is a pub near me which is for trendy young folk. They have a fab garden which would be lovely with kids in summer. But they don't want it over run with kids so they have been quite canny. There are no high chairs, no children's menu, steps which are tricky for buggies, loud music, they don't do lattes etc so not attracting the day time mumsetc. fair enough, it works, there are ten other places nearby where kids are welcome, this ones for actual adults who want to drink in an actual pub.

ChippingInGluggingOn · 10/02/2015 17:51

Offend?

Nope.

Amuse?

Certainly.

codandchipstwice · 10/02/2015 17:53

You had the whole of Richmond and you chose to take DCs to the White Cross? Sorry, no sympathy, as you've been there before I am surprised you didn't check it out for child accessibility first, I would definitely not assume it would have the facilities.

thenightsky · 10/02/2015 17:57

the White Hart in Richmond, right on the river??? Wow.. I'd forgotten the name until I read this thread! DH proposed to me there in 1979!! Grin

EdithWeston · 10/02/2015 18:03

'Are they able to accommodate wheelchair users?'

I'm not sure. It's a historic hostelry in a listed building, so there may well be limits on structural modifications. IIRC there's an outside bit, but I don't know what the loos are like.

There are oodles of other bars/cafes/restaurants nearby in non-listed buildings, so I hope you find somewhere that suits.

expatinscotland · 10/02/2015 18:03

'My mistake, its the White Cross (not White Hart!) in Richmond, by Richmond Bridge and the town centre.'

Awesome, now I know where to get a drink in Richmond.

LOL @ 'discrimination'.

Arsenic · 10/02/2015 18:58

"Discrimination" Grin

Richmond is full of buggy friendly places to eat and drink.

The UK generally is so much more toddler-friendly than it was 20 years ago.

Choose another pub. Or maybe cafe.

YABU.

CuddlesfromChickens · 10/02/2015 20:02

OP not offended. Grin. We're just gently handing you a grip.

It is very easy to become sucked into a baby shaped bubble where the world centres round your child's needs. This is fair enough because your world does centre round your child's needs.

However you do occasionally need to look around and remember that most of the world is not baby focused.

Give it two or three years and you won't be either.

Pagwatch · 10/02/2015 20:11

Hahaha @ offended.

No, not offended at all. Just laughing at you a wee bit. Your post is just the teensiest bit preposterous.

Pagwatch · 10/02/2015 20:14

I like the pitcher and piano because the staff always are incredibly lovely to DS2 and he loves their chicken and chorizo kebab things.
They are supposed to be a tapas type thing but he likes them so I have to order about four plates and a bucket of chips.

Pagwatch · 10/02/2015 20:15

Some random Richmond info there.

RJnomore · 10/02/2015 20:16

did I actually read someone post " you can't be discriminated against for having a child"?

Hmm

I wouldn't say this circumstance is discriminating but you most certainly bloody well can be.

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 10/02/2015 20:23

RJ - Read the rest of her post, that's exactly what she meant. That not being welcoming towards small kids ain't discrimination Grin

DandyHighwayman · 10/02/2015 20:38

Well I have had a fricking awful evening, much brightened by this

I may have even snickered at "offended"

OP thank you

Celticlass2 · 10/02/2015 20:59

OMG, those two dogs are beyond gorgeousSmile I have dog envy.

RJnomore · 10/02/2015 21:24

I don't think it was penguin, the words were exactly as I quoted ?ith "don't be silly"

Hmm

I want to go for a pint with pags dog now.

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