From left, Alison Ingram, with Oliver Ingram, Jamie Ingram and Terry Nutman with Reilly Ingram. Picture by Peter Boam.
A FAMILY has slammed the service at a popular Newport pub, after they were refused drinks because they had children with them.
During an afternoon visit to the William Coppin pub, at Coppins Bridge, Cowes grandfather Terry Nutman, 59, and his 30-year-old daughter, Alison Ingram, were told to finish their second round of drinks and leave.
They were enjoying a snack with three of Alison’s children — her eight-year-old son, Jamie, and eight-month-old twin boys — when staff explained it was against company policy to serve more than one alcoholic drink to people with children who were not eating a full meal.
"I was shocked and disgusted at the attitude of the staff," said Mr Nutman, of Seaview Road.
"I had only just sat down with a second pint of bitter and half a pint of lager for Alison — her second drink — when a member of staff came over to confiscate our drinks. Then we were told to drink up and leave.
"We couldn’t believe it as we were just having a quiet family drink.
"If that’s their policy, why were we served? And why were there no signs to let customers know?"
A spokesman for pub chain Wetherspoon’s, which owns the William Coppin, said Mr Nutman’s comments regarding signs and the manner in which the incident was dealt with were being investigated.
Families were welcome at most Wetherspoon’s pubs, she added, but the chain’s policy was to serve alcoholic drinks to groups with children only when they were eating a full meal.
But Mr Nutman said he felt embarrassed in front of the pub’s other customers and disgusted by the attitude of the staff.
"We used to go in a few times a week because it is good value but we will never go there again," he said.
Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk