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“This isn’t a food bank” – pub in hot water over “sickening” comments

By Daniel Woolfson

- Last updated on GMT

The Rufford, Mansfield (Picture via Google Streetview
The Rufford, Mansfield (Picture via Google Streetview

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A Mansfield pub has sparked outrage after an employee called a customer who asked for a bowl of mash for his child a “beggar”. 

Customer David Scott was told he could not have a spare bowl to give his one-year-old daughter some mash and gravy when he visited Marston’s franchise the Rufford, local newspaper the Mansfield & Ashfield Chad ​reported.

However, when he messaged the pub to complain, an employee responded: “I don’t want beggars in my pub. Thanks your comments. This is Rufford not Mansfield food bank.”

Take umbrage

When Scott posted the exchange on social media, members of the local community were quick to take umbrage at the employee’s remarks.

One, Emma Pay, said: “Refusing you is one thing, but to belittle you and call you a beggar and then to devalue the work of food banks and their struggling customers by using it as an insult is sickening.”

Fellow commentator Guy Matthews added: “****ing garbage Dave mate. As a chef, if little ones want a free bowl of mash or whatever, you just give it to them."

Within its rights

But some believed the pub was totally within its rights to ask Scott to pay for extra food.

Adam Dallo said on FaceBook: “If you want free food for your kid then surely go somewhere that does it? You pay for food… I can’t see a problem.”

The employee has resigned following the incident, The Morning Advertiser (MA) ​understands.

A spokesperson for Marston’s told The MA ​the company was aware that a customer had a problem at the pub and had contacted them directly to resolve it. 

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