Pub dress code angers industry chiefs

The pub displayed a notice that explained its “strict dress code” under which punters will not be served if they wear trainers or hi viz.

A national newspaper identified the pub as the Royal Oak in Ulley, South Yorkshire, after villagers complained.

The poster states: “Please note that there is a strict dress code in operation at the Royal Oak.

“You will not be served if you are wearing the following items of clothing: Jogging bottoms; trainers; baseball cap; hi viz work wear; and vest tops.”

An image of the poster was posted on the networking site LinkedIn​.

Executives weigh in 

Ed Turner, sales manager at Booth Brandels, said: “It would be interesting to hear the comments of people of the trade regarding this notice in a local pub given the general decline in what I call proper 'locals boozers'."

Brewhouse & Kitchen executive chairman Kris Gumbrell responded on the networking site.

He said: “I have seen inexperienced tenants behave like this so many times and then blame the pubco when they have dropped 50 to 100 barrels and can’t pay their rent or trade account.

“Why do people still come into the trade thinking they can run their business like a private social club?”

Punch Taverns managing director Paul Pavli also shared his views: “Local pubs for local people I say.

“Looks like the publican demographic and local demographic don’t match."

The strict code has, however, not just been criticised by those in the industry.

Angry locals told the Daily Mirror​ newspaper they felt discriminated against​.

Other pub rules reported by the newspaper included no entry for bikers and a ban on sitting on an outside wall.

Unpopular ban

It is not the first time a pub has been criticised for banning certain clothes.

The Red Lion pub, in Norton, Teesside, announced in May it would refuse evening entry to anyone wearing a tracksuit, baseball cap, sport shorts, or work wear, following advice from its door security.

Unhappy customers complained about the decision on social media.

One person said: “It’s a local village pub not a city centre bar with zero atmosphere.

“Losing touch with locals will in the end send them elsewhere.”

A Twitter poll in The Morning Advertiser​ asked whether landlords would ever consider a dress code at their pub, with just 19% voting that they would.

Samuel Smith brewery had not responded to a request for a comment by the time of publication.