Children

The Lock In Podcast

We kid you not....

04-Dec-2023 By Ed Bedington

Children and pubs, a classic combination, or not! The Lock In team take a look at the joys of targeting the family market and how pubs can make it work.

Licensing Hub – Legal with Poppleston Allen

Top tips: the logistics of employing under-18s

11-Feb-2020 By Poppleston Allen

Staffing in the UK hospitality industry can be problematic for operators, particularly at present.

Spotlight

Children in pubs: should operators limit how much parents drink?

11-Feb-2020 By Alice Leader

As “unruly” child behaviour continues to burden operators, is the only solution to moderating a child’s energetic nature to limit parents’ number of alcoholic drinks?

Free pub meals for kids during school holidays

20-Aug-2019 By Emily Hawkins

A pub has given away more than 500 free meals to help families struggling throughout the school holidays.

What is Makaton and should pub staff learn it?

22-Mar-2019 By Emily Hawkins

Makaton is a language programme that uses signs and symbols to help people with communication difficulties. The Makaton Charity is encouraging pubs and restaurants to teach staff.

JDW and Hungry Horse criticised for serving unhealthy children’s food

05-Mar-2019 By Nicholas Robinson

JD Wetherspoon and Hungry Horse have been called out by a campaign group’s research for serving some of the saltiest children’s dishes on the high street.

Farmhouse Inns offer free cake for 'designated pushchair drivers' after radio plea

23-Jan-2019 By Emily Hawkins

‘Designated pushchair drivers’ pulled away from meals to soothe young children will receive consolation in the form of free cake when they visit any Greene King Farmhouse Inns site, following a call from radio presenters.

More than just child’s play

25-Aug-2017 By Emma Eversham

You don’t have to install a state-of-the-art soft play centre, radically adjust your menu or ignore other customer groups to attract the family market to your pub

Create a healthy food menu for kids

28-Jul-2016 By Andrew Don

Creating a children’s menu that satisfies young appetites, while keeping mum and dad happy that their cherubs are eating a balanced diet, can be tough. But the experts have a few ideas. Andrew Don reports

Pub operators urged to cater for children

17-Jul-2013 By John Harrington

JD Wetherspoon has been named as the eating-out pub chain with the most healthy meal options for children, as a new campaign is launched to put pressure on restaurants and pubs to improve their offer for children.

Legal Q&A: Children in pubs

14-Dec-2012 By Piers Warne

Licensing lawyer Piers Warne from law firm TLT tackles some frequently asked questions about children and pubs.

Family pubs: learning from the big boys

17-May-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Taking kids to the pub is a nice idea, but it can become an uncomfortable ordeal. Michelle Perrett looks at what experienced operators can teach pubs...

Licensing Act not child's play

20-Mar-2009 By Peter Coulson

MA legal editor Peter Coulson considers the issue of children in pubs.

It did the Youngsters good

20-Mar-2009 By Roger Protz

For some, children in pubs are a minor irritation but the history of the Butt & Oyster features some interesting characters — fictional and real, says Roger Protz.

Top tables

01-Feb-2008

Our regular focus where licensees give tips on customer service. What should you do when customers bring along their own food and drink for their...

Chris Maclean: Down with the kids

05-Nov-2007 By Chris Maclean

There are children in the restaurant. Don't get me wrong, I like children. I was even one myself once. But these children are a nightmare. Here, in...

Attract families

01-Dec-2006

Mark Taylor continues our series with a look at how to encourage families to use your pub. The Priory, Tetbury, Gloucestershire As parents of young...

Why happy kids mean happy pub

27-Jun-2006

Over the next few weeks pubs across the country will be flexing their family-friendly muscles in preparation for the summer holidays. Parents are...

New law and children in pubs

12-May-2005

I continue to receive a number of enquiries about the new law on children, which I touched upon last week. This is another aspect of the change which...

Mealtime myths exploded - PubChef dispels some of the myths surrounding kids' food

01-Apr-2005

With the help of some leading experts, PubChef dispels some of the myths surrounding kids' food Myth 1 - potatoes are unhealthy A popular favourite...

Confusion for licensees as children in pubs plans return

08-May-2003

Controversial plans to allow children into pubs are firmly back on the political agenda. The government has overturned an amendment to the Licensing...

Child's play for pubs

21-Nov-2002

One of the most contentious issues of the recent Licensing Bill sees children of all ages allowed into pubs. Nicola Collenette explains what it...

Children's menus

07-Jun-2001

With the forthcoming reform of licensing laws aimed at making it easier for families to use pubs, licensees need to seriously consider this market as...

Pubs accused of failing kids as families call for continental-style culture

30-Oct-2000

Many publicans are antagonising potential customers simply by obeying the law on admitting children. A new report found that parents blame licensees...