Wetherspoons has spoken out after a customer appeared to be told there was a ‘blanket ban’ on poppies in a viral video.
There’s just over two weeks until Remembrance Day in the UK, and many are choosing to wear poppies to honour members of the armed forces who have lost their lives in the line of duty, most notably in the first and second world wars.
A man who was wearing the commemorative flower on his shirt was denied entry to The Star pub in Gosport, while Reform councillor George Madgwick also claims an army veteran was prevented from entering the Wetherspoons boozer.
Wetherspoons has insisted there is no ban on wearing poppies in their pubs, but said some customers wearing them were turned away as a result of ‘standard security measures’ put in place because of local demonstrations.
One video online showed a man who appeared to be a Wetherspoons staff member telling a customer there was a ban on ‘anything that could be perceived as political’, adding: “That group down there – if they’ve got pride flag badges we’ll also be turning them away. It’s fair for everybody, it is blanket, full stop.”
Reform councillor George Madgwick was among those calling out Wetherspoons (X/@georgedmadgwick)
In another video, another man who appears to be a member of staff was seen telling a customer that they could come in if they took off their poppy, but if they put it back on while inside they would be asked to leave.
‘Shameful’ and ‘ludicrous’
Madgwick told the Daily Express: “As a former Royal Marines Commando and current Councillor I am absolutely shocked and sickened to hear that an Army veteran has been refused entry into a Wetherspoons for wearing a poppy!
“Our servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice must never be treated as though their sacrifice is something to be embarrassed about or hidden away. This whole episode is shameful.”
Scott Schillemore, 33, was also left shocked after he was told he couldn’t enter, despite having served in the Army himself between 2009 and 2015.
He told The Sun: “Wetherspoons still sells poppies, but we’re not allowed to enter a pub with one? It’s ludicrous.”
A Wetherspoons spokesperson has now outlined the company’s stance.
They told the Manchester Evening News: “Wetherspoon has been a long-standing supporter of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, with poppies for sale in our pubs, including the Star. There is no ban on poppies in Wetherspoon pubs.
“However, there were some standard security measures in place today, as a result of demonstrations in the town. Unfortunately, some members of the public, including some wearing poppies, did not gain entry to the pub.
“The pub closed to all customers, on advice of the police, at 5pm and remains closed today. We apologise to any regular customers who have been inconvenienced by today’s events and look to forward to welcoming everyone back tomorrow.”
Over 500 people attend protest
The BBC reports 400 anti-immigration protestors and 100 counter-protestors gathered in Gosport on Sunday (25 October).
It came after two vessels landed in Hampshire in recent weeks, with the occupants taken directly to a processing centre in Kent.
The local immigration removal centre in Gosport is also being redeveloped to house 130 migrants who don’t have a lawful right to remain in the UK before they are deported.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson denied that police told the Wetherspoons to close their doors.
They told The Sun: “Following the protest in Gosport, a number of people gathered in Gosport High Street.
“No offences were identified and police did not ask any pubs to shut their doors. The group soon dispersed on their own.”
Around 400 people had gathered for an anti-immigration protest in Gosport the same day (Zeynep Demir/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Other online videos have established that some of the men who were wearing poppies could also be seen wearing political merchandise from an anti-immigration group, as part of protests and marches that were taking place in the naval town that day.
Wetherspoons has also emphasised that staff and customers are all free to wear poppies, while its pubs also raise around £60,000 each year for the Royal British Legion, a charity that provides financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans.
The case in Gosport appears to have been an on-the-day decision in response to the ongoing protests, as the pub closed early and some staff have reported that only the regulars were permitted entry.
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