Some landlords across the UK are banning children from their pubs, citing unruly behaviour, safety concerns, and financial losses. Egil Johansen, landlord of the Kenton in Hackney, east London, implemented a full ban after a three-year-old fell down a cellar hatch and a five-year-old collided with a staff member carrying drinks. He said parents often blame staff when incidents occur, leaving him no choice but to exclude children entirely.
Johansen noted that other customers were leaving due to the disruption, and an interim ban after 5pm failed to resolve the issues. Despite online criticism, he maintains the decision was necessary for safety and business viability. The Kenton is part of a growing trend of pubs rejecting the family-friendly model to appeal to adult drinkers.
However, not all landlords agree. Lee Jones of the Brewers Arms in West Malvern, Worcestershire, reversed a previous child ban, stating that pubs should serve the whole community. He finds that a polite word with parents usually resolves any rowdiness. Stephen Boyd of the Alma in Crystal Palace, south London, initially welcomed families but found they consumed disproportionate staff time with special requests while paying less, leading to a full ban that doubled takings and improved staff retention.
Tom Stainer, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, acknowledged the topic can be highly contentious, with strong opinions on both sides. The debate reflects broader tensions between attracting families and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere for other customers.
