Pub makes decision to bar under fives

The Waterfront pub at Barton

A POPULAR local pub has announced today that it has taken the decision to ban those under five at all times.

The Waterfront, at Barton Marina which until now has been a popular location for families, has announced via its Facebook page today that children under the age of five will no longer be welcome at the venue.

In an announcement they said:

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Waterfront no longer allows children under the age of five years on the premises. After 7pm, children over fourteen years of age are welcome to dine if accompanied by an adult.

“This has been a very difficult decision for the Waterfront to make. We have had significant issues with parents who have refused to move high chairs, prams and pushchairs that are blocking fire exits, and indeed been aggressive towards our staff. High chairs will still be available for weddings and private parties in our function room.

“The Waterfront does not provide any specific amenities for children, and with the close proximity of the marina the pub’s policy has always been to encourage an adult environment.”

The announcement has attracted large number of negative replies on their Facebook page from people saying they will be withdrawing their custom from the location and also a number of negative reviews.

Rob Pickering said: “According to your website The Waterfront ‘is perfect for every occasion'; clearly not perfect if you have children! To avoid any doubt, please make your policy quite clear on your website on the ‘Welcome’ page.”

The point Rob makes about The Waterfront making it clear on their website is something we have to agree with; looking at their site following the news we struggled to read the very small announcement at the bottom of the page. Can you see it?

The not-so-clear announcement on the site.

The not-so-clear announcement on the site.

Another Facebook user, Sandra Orton simply said: “Very narrow minded and I am sure that valuable trade would be lost.”

What do you think of the decision that has been taken?

 

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351 COMMENTS

    • I have children but I totally agree with what you say. Me and my partner had a child free night so decided to go for a meal where we could sit and chat in peace (won’t name the pub) but we were seated in what I can only call ‘kids corner’ 4 tables around us all with children. Would have stayed at home and got take out if I had known before hand. I have no problem with people taking their kids for a meal but I just couldn’t relax.

  23. What a terrible decision to have made! All they needed to do was put a baby changing table on the wall in the disabled loo there is plenty of room! And maybe have a couple less tables to make better access if having he high chairs around created that much fuss.

  27. Being a parent but also a licence holder I can understand I have visited with my son who was under 3 at the time.. Part of licensing regulations at the protect children against harm if this can’t not be guaranteed then they are doing the right thing by law

  32. Went there a few years ago when the twins were 5. They didn’t allow them in as they were to young. I said as there is two and 2×5 is 10 there shouldn’t be a problem. I think they must be still trying to work that one out

  39. Barton marina is a lovely place with activities geared towards under 5,s , so not allowing under 5 s in the waterfront is ludicrous, having said that the food was bad last time I. Went for a family meal.last summer so.wouldnt return again anyway

  42. Hmmm will definitely not visit again. Are they in their right minds?? How many food pubs ban under 5s?? Crazy decision but heard of some terrible stories of very bad customer service - esp towards those with kids… so have avoided anyway.

    So, they will be turning away the crowds of over 5s on Tuesday afternoons from now on!??!! And wonder how many bookings for Sunday dinner they need to turn down as a young child is part of a group?? Extremely short sighted decision.

  46. Very Narrow minded, if we are not wanted with our under 5 year old then we will not be going when he is over 5, ever child and parents are different I have see grown men act far worse than my 3 year old at a restaurant, this is not going to attracted any more adult parities as they will still have over 5 year olds in.

  48. What a ridiculous thing to do. If they’ve had serious problems with certain customers then by all means ask those customers not to return. Or…if you really want a successful business….why not think about providing better facilities for under 5’s?!

  58. Never been there not sure what the foods like or what the place is like either but to ban children under 5 is crazy that will just get peoples backs up my children are a bit older but I would not go now cause it sounds just like they have a problem here

  59. Oh well… Their loss. Will just go to Barton marina cinema’s restaurant… At least they cater for kids with games too (plus food is better) Red Carpet Cinema is the place to go. They even have shows for kids, take your food in, you can breastfeed there etc. Take your custom there

  60. I went there a couple of years ago in winter after a long walk, it was icy i found the staff extremely rude who failed to tell us there was a lift and sent me outside down the metal steps with a hot cuppa and drink on a tray with a 3 year old. As you can imagine i went top to bottom nearly landing in the canal. Not to mention i threw the tray of drink over my head. I honestly dont know how my little girl didnt get burnt. I said from that day i will never return and still havent.

  61. Last time we went we waited 2hours for our meals even though the pub was quiet. We had an under 5 with us at the time…it was interesting trying to keep a hungry under 5 busy when the service was so slow. Havnt been back since. Perhaps they have introduced the policy as the service is so slow……

  69. I don’t think they care what we think the place is always rammed when I have been so they are not worried about losing a bit of business anyway. I have been 3 times abs waited by the sign to be seated and been completely ignored for at least 10 mins, I find the staff rude and unwelcoming so I wouldn’t waste my time going again

  70. A few observations.

    If the issue is with high chairs or pushchairs blocking fire exits, speak to the people causing the problem. Ask them to keep the exits clear. If they get aggressive, insist that they leave. If they refuse, involve the police. However, if people are regularly and consistently becoming aggressive, I’d certainly question the manner in which the staff attempt to deal with the issue. I’d also look at the layout of the interior of the venue, and the locations of the exits.

    It’s a better and simpler business model to cater for the customers you already have than it is to alienate them to fit with what you consider to be your ideals.

    The existence of the marina should not rule out families visiting the venue. Yes, there is a risk, but there is a risk in pubs that are near railway tracks, or pubs that are near roads, or any building located anywhere for that matter. The way to teach children about risk should involve visiting these places, not shielding children from them so they learn nothing. How would a child learn how to behave near a marina if they’ve never been to a marina?

    Pubs over the past couple of decades have been turning into more family-orientated restaurants in order to survive. This could surely be a business-ending decision.

  71. Correct me if I’m wrong Suzanne Klarich Susanne Davies Ganga Lisa Moffat Lorna Elaine Pennock Lydia Izon-Cooper but isn’t this the one we were asked to leave because one of the babies cried ( 2 years ago)? I don’t think we were all there. There was a foot of snow outside and no one else inside and we were gobsmacked. We asked if we could finish our food. I haven’t been back since. It was foolish then to lose the business of a group of Mums on a years Mat leave but to make it an actual policy…!

  74. Was we not all small children under 5 at some point?? No matter what I would not choice to go somewhere where some of my children was not welcome there are plenty of other places that make children of all ages welcome personally I think they have made a rod for there own back!!

  75. If they question how old your child is…do you need to take their birth certificate or passport? And if it gets to around five to seven in the evening does that mean you have to leave the rest of your food and run quickly for the doors if your children arent five years old?

  76. Is this some kind of joke so now families with young children are being discriminated to as of where they can go and eat or Go for a family drink!!! I’m utterly disgusted !! I hope that no one who works there have children under 5!!!

  80. This is pathetic because you get families with well behaved and respectful children suffering and cannot go for a nice meal with their family!!! Stupid!! I for one don’t let my children run around screaming and shouting they know how to sit and have a meal, but in some cases children will be children they do have tantrums which any parent will deal with quickly for the sake of others!!! Ridiculous that everyone is ridiculed and all tarnished with the same brush!!!!

  90. It makes me laugh at how many people think this is a good decision by the establishment’s management. Think back to your childhood people, did you not go out to eat with your parents before you were five? How else do you learn how to behave in a restaurant if you’re not allowed in and surely the younger you learn the better!!!!!

  92. Vile - rude staff, poor quality food and over priced. Just look at trip advisor ratings.

    For those that are praising this decision… Perhaps parents should just stay at home with their children? Perhaps they can show their children restaurant pictures in a book so that one day when they reach a ‘sensible’ age they can enjoy a meal out?

  98. Exactly Paul Cummings, the people agreeing with this were obviously never children themselves or they’ve raised awful kids of their own! My children have NEVER run screaming around any pub or restaurant because I know how to control them and teach them how to behave! Never been to this pub and never will now I know it’ll be full of these idiots - give me kids any day……

    • A lot of parents believe their children to be well behaved but they are biased. I think an evening ban would have been more acceptable but please don’t make sweeping comments like this I don’t hate children I love them it’s just sometimes it’s nice to have an evening meal without some child wandering over to your table and you are obliged to be friendly And entertain them.

    • I find this whole thing rather offensive so if you agree with their ‘sweeping’ decision to ban all under fives because you don’t want to feel obliged to be nice to a child during your meal I really don’t care! Most parents would have their kids out of a pub or restaurant at a decent time for others to still have a child-free evening if that’s what they want but to put an out right ban on them is disgusting!

    • Same works two ways you silly pathetic woman - if you don’t like being called out by a different opinion to your own don’t comment! And its you that started arguing on my opinion, I never aimed anything at you personally ffs, you are also the one who told others to chill lol ; ) Bored of you now you really are a waste of time, grow up. #blocked

    • I went to a wedding there when Maisie was about 18 months old, when I asked where the baby change facilities were the bar staff looked at me as if I’d gone mad …. Had to change her on the toilet floor….. Don’t believe they ever wanted to encourage under 5’s !

  107. Will this make SOMEBODY realise that this area needs a good child friendly pub…There’s nothing in Tamworth (Fradley Arms excepted) with an indoor play area or even something to entertain the kids so the adults can have a little peace whilst still taking the family out. It’s no wonder that they think the solution is to ban kids because they’re loud…they’re simply BORED….ENTERTAIN THE KIDS not ban them and you’ll have a peaceful meal and queues out the door!!!

  110. My 3 year old is quieter and better behaved than most other children age 5 and over so can’t see how a certain age can be deemed appropriate or not. Yes some parents do let their children run wild and it drives me mad too but what about the rude, loud adults who go? What about people who have had too much to drink or swear at the top of their voice every other word? Are they not equally as anti social and an annoyance to the majority of the customers. They cannot tar every child with the same brush. They’re being discriminatory and what will be next? A disabled teenager or adult maybe making noise and disturbing others or a wheelchair user inconveniently being in the way of staff…..would they then be banned to? Where will it end? A manager can surely always ask people to leave if they are posing too much trouble instead of making a universal opinion on all families.

  111. I have to agree that it’s hardly fair when you go out for a nice meal to have it spoilt by other people’s young children tearing around and crying. I am a parent myself and although I agree the daytime should be about families I feel people should find sitters at night for them x

  117. All I can say is, good luck with business, after doing this. I think they will suffer from making this decision. A family member helped to build this place, was nice to visit for part of that reason. Hey ho, shall take my custom elsewhere!

  120. Vile pub vile staff and pretentious customers…who all together I would be surprised would notice children in there as their heads are permanantly up their own backsides….have the balls to ban children completely…I would have no problem with that but like lots of people have said a 7 year old compared to a 9 month old baby..mmmmmm…read trip advisor ignore the children comments and read the food and staff ones…..in a year you will be begging for people to come in……ban all or not at all……

  121. Maybe the people agreeing with this can stay at home where they wont be disturbed by kids and families can go out and eat together and enjoy a nice meal without feeling judged for taking their children! My 2 year old is very well behaved but he has his moments like most adults!!!

    • Did you even read the article? “We have had significant issues with parents who have refused to move high chairs, prams and pushchairs that are blocking fire exits, and indeed been aggressive towards our staff.” I’ve seen this kind of thing as well; groups of parents meet up, their oversize buggies in tow, and spread out without any consideration for others - because perhaps others should just stay at home if they think their feelings count for anything when compared to ‘parent’s’.

    • Lol!! I would never dream of kicking off if my sons push chair was in the way. I am always wary of where i put my sons things when we go out! I went out recently and asked the best place to put it and we moved it! Not all parents are like those in the article and have now taken the choice away if we wanted to eat there.

    • This ban isn’t about noise but most of the people agreeing with it are commenting on noise and ‘badly behaved’ kids - what about family pubs Natalie? I’m pretty sure loads of pubs are geared towards ‘family dining’ and most Wackys are attached to pubs too!

    • No it’s about kids not having table matters running around almost tripping people up and parents not controlling there kids. Those kind of people that don’t care what their kids do are the ones that’s make it bad for people who have well behaved kids with good table manners and it’s not fair on them when they want to have a family meal out I used to take my kids to family friendly pubs when they were little and no they didn’t run around tables and scream or make a mess. Yes all wackys are attached to pubs or have parks in the beer gardens which are fab for kids when they are fed up and want to play after their meals that’s why I used to chose places like that so we could all eat and they could play after their dinner I do love kids, and it’s not Their fault if some parent don’t control or discipline their kids when dining out or if they wasn’t taught table manners it’s the parents that are at fault and it’s ashame for well behaved children that they have to be punished for it to

    • And really if they are discriminating against prams and high chairs really they are also against people who have wheel chairs and Zimmer frames but they are not aloud to say that out right as there is a law against discrimination and they would be breaking the law but there isn’t one in place for prams and high chairs

  125. Well they have gained a new customer. I’m a parent and when I want to go somewhere without my kids I like to go somewhere peaceful and not be disturbed by other people’s children, there are very few places that off this sanctuary. If I want to take my children somewhere I’d choose a family friendly place with a park etc It’s all about choices

  128. Good move…
    I doubt the parents on here moaning will feel the same when they get a night off their kids and want to go somewhere that’s peaceful and quiet
    If you want to take your kids out with you, go somewhere else
    I’m sure this will become a safe haven for people wanting to be in peace & quiet and to enjoy an adult space without someone else’s kids or your own, ruining the mood.

  131. For the people saying about kids being noisy, running around etc, have you read the story?

    The reason the pub has banned them is because of the parents due to arguments over pushchairs / high chairs; not because the children are noisy / disruptive.

    After reading trip adviser and some of the negative stuff on here it’s appears the staff and food are the biggest cause of complaint.

    Remember, there is also a difference between a ‘local’ pub and a ‘restaurant’ pub offering food all day, which is based at a location that attracts families. We are not talking about an inner city exclusive club here.

  134. I just can’t believe parents were that naughty that they parked their pushchair inappropriately, and the staff didn’t have the people skills to ask them to move it somewhere more appropriate. Of course fire exits need to be kept clear, but maybe create a space for them?

    I’ve taken 3 generations of our family there before now, and our then 10month old sat beautifully in a high chair throughout, experimenting with new foods. No issues with pushchair.

    Just smacks of a manager who is anti-kids and wanting to squash more people into an already very large pub.

    Look forward to returning when there’s a change of management & policy

  136. Instead of banning these pesky, noisy, charging around like a bull in a China shop under 5 year olds, why not ban all noise completely, like a library? It’s weird how people seem ok with the general noise levels of well oiled drinkers but god forbid a child make a noise!

  138. It’s don’t think it’s because of the kids being loud etc, it’s because of some adults being morons! Not all kids are banned, just the under 5’s who are more likely to use the highchairs and pushchairs…

    “We have had significant issues with parents who have refused to move high chairs, prams and pushchairs that are blocking fire exits, and indeed been aggressive towards our staff.”

  160. Here we go in my day blah blah blah….we didnt have mobile phones we didnt have internet …but most of all you could leave your kids in the car or beer garden without worrying about them….times change…this is a pub restaurant at a family marina area …not next to walkabout on Broad street….jeeeeeeezzzz

  162. Won’t be going there again then, how silly and how disappointing that children are being excluded when meals out as a family can be such a treasured time. Yes, we have all been sat by children at times that may not behave how we would like to in pubs and restaurants but how will they learn if they are excluded?! What a shame.

  177. That’s ridiculous having 2 children myself which are now 17 and 14 I could take mine anywhere and they behaved. I don’t agree with the ban 24/7 for under 5 years old. Family dining is a great thing to do I agree after a certain time maybe but not 24/7. It’s not the children all the time try looking at the parents whom some can’t control there kids.

  178. That’s ridiculous having 2 children myself which are now 17 and 14 I could take mine anywhere and they behaved. I don’t agree with the ban 24/7 for under 5 years old. Family dining is a great thing to do I agree after a certain time maybe but not 24/7. It’s not the children all the time try looking at the parents whom some can’t control there kids.

  181. Disgusting!!! I could appreciate a ban after a certain time but not 24/7!! They have just lost a lot of customers there . So many family’s have young children which are now unwelcome. Then there’s family’s like mine who have more than one child of different ages, so looks like my 4 year old wouldn’t be welcome, yet my 8 and 10 year old are.So yet more customers to loose. I don’t think it’s a wise move myself…..

  197. The only people to blame are the minority of parents who allow their child to run around the place. Pubs are dangerous, people walking around with glasses / cutlery and hot food.
    Been there, done that… Screaming brat child gets burned by hot gravy because it’s running around as if it were a playground. Who are the first to complain- the parents… The PARENTS who think it’s acceptable to let their child run around in such a place.
    The pub has made a good move. Eliminates those who could cost them a fortune in compensation. I’ll be moving in there 24/7.

    • Yes, children have to be taught manners and common courtesy by their parents. For the parents who don’t do this for their own children that depend on them to be taught the ways of life, rights and wrongs- what hope do they have? Shame on those parents that let kids run wild… In a pub, of all places.

    • Louise, wind your neck in and stop jumping on everyone with a difference of opinion to you! Matt, lighten the fuck up! Finish your beer and go fast a nigh nighs and stop causing face book fights as I’ll need you to carry me later as it’s clear I’ve also had no sleep. Fucking kids keeping me up all night! Erm…. 😉

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