Samuel Smith bans bikers from pub

By Nikkie Sutton

- Last updated on GMT

Rough ride: motorcyclists were reportedly refused entry and banned from one Samuel Smith pub
Rough ride: motorcyclists were reportedly refused entry and banned from one Samuel Smith pub

Related tags Public house Beer

Motorcyclists claim they have been banned from a Samuel Smith pub in South Yorkshire.

Biker Mark Smith told the BBC ​a member of staff at the Royal Oak, at Ulley, near Rotherham, told him he wouldn’t get served as bikers were barred, before Smith had stepped foot inside the pub.

He added the staff member said the decision came from the brewery and no reason to bar him and the other bikers was given.

Within the law

A spokesperson for the British Beer & Pub Association said: “While the premises is clearly within the law in this case, it is difficult to comment further without knowing the specific circumstances.”

The Morning Advertiser ​contacted Samuel Smith and it declined to comment on the story.

Meanwhile, according to reports, the brewery, which runs 200 pubs across the UK, banned swearing from its sites in April this year.

Pubs should be relaxed

CAMRA responded to the claims and said pubs should be a “very relaxed place to have a conversation, without strict rules of formality” but also said the atmosphere can be ruined for everyone “if someone goes too far”.

CAMRA head of communications Tom Stainer added: “While a complete ban on swearing under threat of ejection might be a step too far, Samuel Smith has made its own decision on how to ensure that all visitors feel welcomed and comfortable within their pubs.

“I’m sure CAMRA members would be supportive of all pub customers being polite and considerate of fellow drinkers to help make all pubs inviting and inclusive places, which we hope could be achieved through encouraging good behaviour, rather than going as far as a complete ban.”

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