Wetherspoon clarifies poppy stance after veteran refused entry

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 13:21 · Archive

A doorman at a Wetherspoon pub in Gosport refused entry to a veteran wearing a poppy, calling it political.

A doorman at The Star in Gosport refused entry to a man wearing a Remembrance Day poppy on Sunday afternoon, 25 October. In footage of the incident, the doorman told the veteran he could not enter wearing the poppy because it was political and instructed him to remove it or face being refused service. When the customer objected that the poppy was not political, the doorman replied he was just doing his job. He told the man that if he put the poppy on inside the pub, he would be asked to leave and not served.

JD Wetherspoon denied that it operates a poppy ban. The pub chain said heightened security measures were in place at the Gosport venue because of demonstrations in the town on Sunday. It acknowledged that some customers wearing poppies, among others, were refused entry as a result. A member of staff told one account that a blanket ban had been put on anything that could be perceived as political.

Following the incident, Wetherspoon placed notices in its pubs. The notice states: 'In fact, Wetherspoon has not banned veterans wearing poppies. Wetherspoon is a long-standing supporter of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and sells poppies in its pubs. Last year, for example, the pubs raised £55,867 for the appeal. There was a demonstration in Gosport on Sunday, near Wetherspoon's Star pub and there were extra security measures in place. Unfortunately, some poppy wearers, and other members of the public, were refused entry. On the advice of the police, the pub was closed for the rest of the day.'

Protesters subsequently covered the pub in poppy stickers in response. Footage posted on social media showed two people standing on tables outside and placing poppy stickers on the pub's sign and shopfront. Those posting the footage said the pub was 'getting a taste of their own medicine'. Councillor George Madgwick, who leads the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, said his group had been meeting for a drink after campaigning and described their treatment as disgusting and shameful.

How it is being reported

• Protesters cover pub in poppies after veterans were banned from entering for wearing 'political symbol'Protesters descended on a JD Wetherspoon pub after veterans wearing poppies were banned from entering after their display of remembrance was branded a "political symbol". On Sunday afternoon, staff refused a group of six people entry into The Star in Gosport, Hampshire. A clip from the incident first reveals a confrontation with security, then what appears to be a manager. In the video shared on social media, the bouncer tells the group: "I'm just doing my job." TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say He goes on to say if they were to put their poppy on inside, they would be "asked to leave". The…GB News · 30 Oct, 13:09
• Furious protesters cover Wetherspoon Gosport pub in poppies after military veterans wearing the remembrance symbol were banned from enteringIn a video seen on X, two hooded demonstrators were seen stood on tables outside the pub and placing several poppy stickers on the pub sign and its shopfront.Daily Mail · 30 Oct, 08:37
• Wetherspoons issues new 'poppy ban' message to customers after veteran refused entryA veteran claimed he was refused entry for wearing a poppy.Daily Express · 29 Oct, 22:25
• Wetherspoons puts new notices in pubs with 'poppy ban' rules after veteran turned awayJD Wetherspoon has put up notices to clarify the rules following the outrcy.Daily Express · 29 Oct, 16:28
• Wetherspoons issues new ban after man wearing poppy refused entry to pubA veteran claimed he was refused entry for wearing a poppy.Daily Express · 28 Oct, 17:59

In this story: JD Wetherspoon · The Star · Gosport · Royal British Legion · George Madgwick · Hampshire

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