A group of just over 15 of us who were aged 17-18 booked a table at the Bell on a Monday night for 6:30. After arriving and being seated all of us were immediately asked to provide ID before any food or drink was ordered. I would like to add that not a single 18 year old bought any alcohol throughout the evening. After this we were then told by the waitress that we were only allowed to purchase a meal and two drinks each before we had to leave, which seemed unreasonable. 4 members of the party arrived late (8 o’clock), ordered food by 8:30 and received their food by 8:40. At quarter to nine we were abruptly told by a waitress (and I quote), “you need to leave by 9 o’clock, so eat up”. At 9, when they sent the barman who had not been serving us to ask us to leave, we politely asked why we had to leave by 9. He said that it was pub policy to not allow under 18’s on the premises after nine o’clock. We asked him if there was any signage in the pub that showed this policy, to which he replies yes, but when he returned he said he could not find it. One member of our party asked if we could talk to the manger and the barman went to get him. We explained to the manager that we accepted that the pub may have a policy of not admitting under 18’s after 9 but we added that we felt it was unfair that we were told at such short notice and that this policy was not clearly displayed. We were not a disruptive or rowdy group and we were not causing any trouble and we feel that we have been treated in both a patronising and unfair manner. Our group had spent a considerable amount that evening that must have accounted for a good amount of the pubs income that evening as it was by no means busy. One of us asked for the head office of Weatherpersons number and will be lodging a formal complaint.
