Wetherspoons denies banning customers wearing poppies

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 17:02 · Archive

Wetherspoons denied banning customers wearing poppies after reports of a customer being turned away at a pub during an anti-immigration demonstration.

Wetherspoons issued a statement after reports that a customer wearing a poppy was turned away from The Star pub in Gosport, Hampshire, on 25 October during an anti-immigration demonstration outside the venue.

A video posted on social media showed a security staff member telling a customer: 'You put it in your pocket and take it off mate, yes you can but don't put it on inside... you'll be asked to leave.' The pub chain said extra security was in place during the outside demonstration, which led staff to refuse entry to several visitors, including poppy wearers.

A Wetherspoons spokesman responded: '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 company operates 792 pubs across the UK.

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.Reading Chronicle · 27 Oct, 16:44
• Wetherspoons statement after customer 'turned away over poppy'Wetherspoons has issued a statement after a customer wearing a poppy was allegedly turned away.Bracknell News · 27 Oct, 16:44

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

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 · Corrections log