Wetherspoon denies banning poppies at Gosport pub

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 17:38 · Archive

Wetherspoon has denied it banned customers wearing poppies at The Star pub in Gosport after turning away veterans including Raise the Colours founder Ryan Bridge.

Veterans and Raise the Colours founder Ryan Bridge, aged 45, were stopped at the door of The Star pub in Gosport on Sunday, 25 October, and told by security staff they could not enter while wearing poppies. Councillor George Madgwick, who was with the group, told the Daily Mail that both the security team and the pub manager said the restriction was company policy. Mr Bridge shared a video on Facebook about the incident.

Wetherspoon has since clarified that there is no company policy banning poppies. The pub chain stated that the decision was made as part of wider security measures rather than due to a ban on the symbols. The chain attributed the move to safety concerns related to protests in the area, though it did not provide further detail on what protests prompted the restriction.

How it is being reported

• Wetherspoon statement on 'banning poppy' after Ryan Bridge turned away from pubWetherspoon has denied claims that it banned customers from wearing poppies in Gosport, including Raise the Colours founder Ryan Bridge.Malvern Gazette · 26 Oct, 17:07
• Wetherspoon statement on 'banning poppy' after Ryan Bridge turned away from pubWetherspoon has denied claims that it banned customers from wearing poppies in Gosport, including Raise the Colours founder Ryan Bridge.Worcester News · 26 Oct, 17:07

In this story: Ryan Bridge · George Madgwick · Wetherspoon · Gosport · Bromsgrove · Raise the Colours

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