A traditional pub in Royal Tunbridge Wells has found itself at the centre of a musical storm after deciding to ban the legendary pop group ABBA from its digital jukebox.
The management of The Rising Sun on Camden Road made the decision to remove the Swedish supergroup's tracks, most notably their 1974 Eurovision winner 'Waterloo', after receiving multiple complaints from customers. The move has divided the pub's regulars and ignited a fiery discussion on social media.
Landlords Sarah and James Perkins, who took over the establishment five months ago, were taken aback by the strength of feeling against the band. "It started as a few comments here and there," James explained. "But it became clear that for some of our regulars, ABBA was a real point of contention. We want everyone to feel comfortable, so we took the decision to remove their music from our TouchTunes system."
A Division Among the Regulars
The decision has not been met with universal approval within the pub's community. While some patrons are relieved, others are dismayed at the loss of what they consider to be classic party anthems.
One regular, who wished to remain anonymous, stated: "It's a bit daft, really. It's just a bit of fun. You can't please everyone all the time, but banning ABBA feels awfully grinchy."
Another local supported the ban, saying: "I come here for a quiet pint and a chat. That high-pitched singing and repetitive beat is grating. There's plenty of other music to choose from."
The Online Reaction Goes Viral
News of the ban quickly spread beyond the pub's walls after a post on a local community Facebook page went viral. The story has been picked up by national news outlets, prompting reactions from ABBA fans across the country.
Many on social media have expressed disbelief, with one user commenting: "A pub without ABBA? That's like a fish without a bicycle. What's next, banning Queen?" Another wrote: "First they came for ABBA, and I did not speak out..."
Despite the online furore, the landlords are standing by their decision, emphasising that their primary goal is to maintain a welcoming atmosphere for their core customers. The pub's jukebox remains well-stocked with thousands of other tracks from various artists and eras.
