Wetherspoons denies banning customers wearing poppies

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

Wetherspoons denied banning poppy wearers after reports that a customer was turned away from one of its pubs.

Wetherspoons issued a statement after reports that a customer wearing a poppy was turned away from one of its pubs. The incident occurred at The Star in Gosport, Hampshire, on 25 October. The pub chain said extra security had been in place during an outside demonstration at the venue, leading staff to refuse entry to several visitors, some of whom were wearing poppies.

A Wetherspoons spokesman said: 'In fact, Wetherspoons 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.'

The statement came as the company reported financial results showing pre-tax profits fell by 28 per cent to £58.6 million for the year to 26 July. The pub operator, which runs 792 pubs across the UK, said increased wage costs and higher business rates contributed to the decline, despite a 5.2 per cent jump in total sales and a 6.1 per cent rise in bar sales.

How it is being reported

• Wetherspoons statement after customer 'turned away over poppy'Wetherspoons has issued a statement after a customer wearing a poppy was allegedly turned away.Oxfordshire Guardian · 26 Oct, 17:00
• Wetherspoons statement after customer 'turned away over poppy'Wetherspoons has issued a statement after a customer wearing a poppy was allegedly turned away.Oxford Mail · 26 Oct, 17:00

In this story: Wetherspoons · Royal British Legion · The Star · Gosport · Hampshire

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem