What a nice pub...not

[voorhees]

Coventry bar faces boycott after grieving soldiers refused entry - Top Stories - News - Birmingham Mail

 

[StateOfPlay]

I don't understand why people think they have the right to get served wherever they want. If you are refused entry, just go elsewhere. I don't have to let people into my business. Deal with it.

 

[sidibear]

They are soldiers grieving their dead mate who died fighting for the freedom of others, as far as I am concerned they can pretty much ask for a drink anywhere they want.

Soldiers past, present and future are the ones who protect your freedom, you are more than welcome to fight for your own freedom and not rely on others to take the risk for you.

 

[StateOfPlay]

They are soldiers grieving their dead mate who died fighting for the freedom of others, as far as I am concerned they can pretty much ask for a drink anywhere they want.

Soldiers past, present and future are the ones who protect your freedom, you are more than welcome to fight for your own freedom and not rely on others to take the risk for you.

The freedom of others? But when they don't like your free choice, they start a campaign that is full of hatred towards some poor bar owner. Great bunch of lads they are. And they are not fighting for my freedom. If my freedom were at risk, I would join them. But I am not interested in fighting someone else's war.

 

[Oranoco]

Just to play devils advocate here I know there is a law that says you must not serve alcohol to police officer in uniform. This may possibly also prohibit the sale of alcohol to army personel in uniform.

Personally if it was down to me our boys would be served anything they wanted and it would be on the house

 

[quattrojames]

Some respect wasn't too much to ask surely.

 

[StateOfPlay]

Some respect wasn't too much to ask surely.

I don't think the bar would have asked them to leave if they had known it was a funeral party. Many pubs up and down the land have a rule about not serving people in uniform, mainly because of the trouble it sometimes brings.

It isn't unusual for army guys to be refused service in a pub, so it would have been a good idea for the army men to approach the staff and let them know about the funeral. And there are many more venues around that serve tea and coffee that I would go to before a pub.

I just feel sorry for the poor business owner who now has to suffer because of a rule that MOST pubs in cities have.

 

[superkarl]

I see your point mate.
I think its unfair to judge as we don't know the barmans reasons but stateofplay may have a valid point.

My own view, they'd have whatever they wanted out of respect for the fallen soldier.

 

[sidibear]

And they are not fighting for my freedom. If my freedom were at risk, I would join them. But I am not interested in fighting someone else's war.

Do your grandparents speak English or German? If it wasn't for soldiers fighting for the freedom of England years ago we may all have been speaking German. So yes, soldiers everywhere are fighting for your freedom and have done so for many years whether you accept that or not. And yes, your freedom is at risk just like all of us. The war against terrorists is still on and will be for many years.

Soldiers have to fight ill equipped in a ****ty environment for a wage packet that would make you cringe considering they are risking their lives. They deserve a lot more respect from a bar owner.

 

[StateOfPlay]

You posted the link to the article, I read the article, and it says "

I would also say that social media sites are not really the places to be posting threats. We will take positive action as we have done recently on Twitter in relation to any threats and actually the important thing here is the wishes of Catherine. Catherine does not want any kind of violence, any kind of threats towards Mr Brown, his staff or his premises and if we do get anything we will take positive action."

Mr Brown was unaware that these uniformed men were attending a funeral service. His staff were following the policy that thousands of pubs do across the land. Of course, that is their choice in this free society that we live in.

And now Mr Brown is having to deal with threats.

Great. Do as we say or we will do you!




​

 

[quattrojames]

I don't think anyone on here is either discussing, and certainly not condoning the mention of any threats. People's shock comes from what is being reported as two/three soldiers in ceremonial dress trying to order a coffee, but being refused.

 

[Ste_Nova]

Do your grandparents speak English or German? If it wasn't for soldiers fighting for the freedom of England years ago we may all have been speaking German

and driving audis?.........

 

[ScottishA4B9]

Servicemen in uniform are not permitted to drink alcohol, but there is excemptions to this. But the article states they were just trying to buy coffee. And there was a new law brought in last year to protect servicemen from being discriminated against which was clearly broken in this case!!! The fact the bar owner was Northern Irish might have something to do with it! (P.S. I'm not saying that all N. Irish people are like that gladly.)
You certainly wouldn't get this in the US!!!!!!!!!

 

[Just Plain Old]

Hummmmm....... Having only had the misfortune to be dragged in there 2 or 3 times in my life,,, I would say it is staffed and frequented by those who are so far up themselves, that the concept they might consider the effect of their actions on others is actually beyond them...... I think it's amusing to see them squirm.... But I don't agree with threats of violence,,, voltaire and all that...!

 

[StateOfPlay]

I don't think anyone on here is either discussing, and certainly not condoning the mention of any threats. People's shock comes from what is being reported as two/three soldiers in ceremonial dress trying to order a coffee, but being refused.

I agree to a point, but they were trying to buy a coffee in a pub, and the pub has a strict dress code, and the pub wasn't aware they were attending a funeral service.

What you are asking for is for all pubs the length and breadth of the country to change their dress code and allow groups of servicemen in uniform to buy non alcoholic drinks.

I do feel a bit sorry for this pub, they are no different to many other pubs, but now have the leader of the opposition calling them disgusting. Shame really, freedoms and all that.

 

[sidibear]

and driving audis?.........

Bit of a difference in being invaded or buying a foreign car....

 

[voorhees]

"strict dress code" lol obviously you have never been to this establishment

 

[quattrojames]

What you are asking for is for all pubs the length and breadth of the country to change their dress code and allow groups of servicemen in uniform to buy non alcoholic drinks.

I'll probably be ducking out of this argument now, but don't put words in my mouth - I'm not asking for anything, and there is a distinction between groups of servicemen and two/three (I'm not sure on the whole picture).

If two Police Officers went into a local pub to have a coffee would they get refused service?

 

[hades-]

Do your grandparents speak English or German? If it wasn't for soldiers fighting for the freedom of England years ago we may all have been speaking German. So yes, soldiers everywhere are fighting for your freedom and have done so for many years whether you accept that or not. And yes, your freedom is at risk just like all of us. The war against terrorists is still on and will be for many years.

Soldiers have to fight ill equipped in a ****ty environment for a wage packet that would make you cringe considering they are risking their lives. They deserve a lot more respect from a bar owner.

ill equipped crap wage packet etc
they signed up to do the job

 

[riggssuzuki]

I don't understand why people think they have the right to get served wherever they want. If you are refused entry, just go elsewhere. I don't have to let people into my business. Deal with it.

Sorry but Major dislike of your post. Why is it in this country that people in uniform are so disliked? Why should they be refused entry on the basis of their uniform. They put their lives on the line for us and deserve our gratitude. I see drunk obnoxious idiots demanding to get served in bars every weekend and not getting turned away. Yes you have the right to refuse entry but come on get a grip its called common sense.

 

[damo.h]

If honest I'm fkn discussted by the actions of the bar staff. The owner being from NI may have played a major part in this but only he would know. I'm not going to enter into an argument as this is something I am very passionate about, but comments like they do nothing to protect me grips my ****. These lads have been up against terrorists for the last 40 yrs or so. Trying to make a change so every single person (regardless of colour or cread) in this country has the right to go shopping, out to lunch or even walk down the street without being met with 50lb of Semtex. Or a rucksack full of HE. Let's not even get into the past world wars or current conflicts! but come on all these lads wanted was a coffee to pass time and steady nerves. Makes me fkn sick!!!!

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]

ill equipped crap wage packet etc
they signed up to do the job

You are right there to some degree. We don't join the forces thinking of payslips! we join because wearer passionate about our country and Would go to any lengths to protect it and it's people. But that said it would be nice to be paid in relation to the job.
But with regards to kit and availability of it most recruits don't even know what side arm or rifle they are going to carry let alone anything else. Monies being spent in the wrong areas withing the MOD puts lives at risk. Believe me I know!![/FONT]

 

[Viking]

Two issues here.

1. The fact that uniformed servicemen were refused entry to a pub.

2. The fact that a group of unknowns have raised a Facebook campaign against the establishment, against the wishes of the people who were involved in the incident in the first place.

So addressing the first issue, soldiers in uniform are always controversial. Living near an army barracks we're always getting the issues of squaddies out on the lash, but never in uniform. I'm not sure, but I think if the Military Police found uniformed soldiers in a pub (either drinking coffee or beer) they'd be hauled for it. The fact that this was a funeral event adds a rather strange slant to the issue and evokes a lot of sentiment which isn't entirely relevant. The pub owner was unaware of the circumstances and followed his usual dress code. Now that he's been made aware of the funeral issue he's apologised unreservedly and if he'd been informed discreetly beforehand I doubt it would ever have been an issue.

As for the second point, the fact that it's on Facebook adds no credence to it at all, in fact it simply says to me that some people with nothing better to do once Jeremy Kyle has finished are killing some time by grabbing a cause and following it, despite the offended parties asking them not to.

 

[voorhees]

Updated: Corporal Michael Thacker's wife accepts full apology from Brown's bar in Coventry - Coventry News - News - Coventry Telegraph
All ends with an apology

 

[StateOfPlay]

“On Monday 25th June two uniformed military personnel visited my bar with a view to purchasing coffee and were refused by a member of staff as it is company policy not to serve someone in uniform. I was not present on the premises at the time.

“I have since been made aware of why these soldiers were in Coventry and had I known of the circumstances I would have willingly served them.​

“I am genuinely sorry for the distress caused to the family of the late Corporal Michael Thacker and through the military family liaison officer I have sent an unreserved apology to Catherine and the soldiers concerned.

Exactly as I suspected, a witch hunt.

​

 

[voorhees]

“On Monday 25th June two uniformed military personnel visited my bar with a view to purchasing coffee and were refused by a member of staff as it is company policy not to serve someone in uniform. I was not present on the premises at the time.

“I have since been made aware of why these soldiers were in Coventry and had I known of the circumstances I would have willingly served them.​

“I am genuinely sorry for the distress caused to the family of the late Corporal Michael Thacker and through the military family liaison officer I have sent an unreserved apology to Catherine and the soldiers concerned.

Exactly as I suspected, a witch hunt.

​

Well done Sherlock :/

 

[StateOfPlay]

Cheers mate.

 

[quattrojames]

Devils advocate - wouldn't you apologise too at this stage?!

I could understand refusing to serve alcohol, but coffee?

 

[StateOfPlay]

Good film that. Al Pacino at his best.

Apologies to those who were offended by my post.

And who amongst us goes to the pub for a coffee?

 

[damo.h]

Viking you are right. As a rule you are not permitted to consume alcohol whilst in uniform in a civvie establishment. However there are circumstances which would allow it. I expect his would be one of them, but what I can't understand is why no one mentioned the fact they where attending a funeral thus the reason for being in uniform.. Surely it would be their first point to make?
As for the FB hate campaign.nyou hit that nail on the head !

 

[jdp1962]

Too often, people confuse having the right to do something with being right when they do it. They are not the same thing.

The bar staff had the right to refuse to serve the servicemen, but in exercising that right in the circumstances in which they did, they made an error of judgement.

 

[jdp1962]

Good film that. Al Pacino at his best.

Apologies to those who were offended by my post.

And who amongst us goes to the pub for a coffee?

I wasn't offended by your posts. I just disagreed with them

 

[johnnythepie]

Bieng born and bred in Coventry (not massively proud of the fact) Browns Bar has a lot of history with refusing entry to patrons for no reason, and no reasons given.There is no dress code, its whether your face fits.Its a stones throw away from both cathedrals, next to an art gallery and built on the grounds of a public toilet (how appropriate).For years they have practiced this door code, even against tourists, pensioners, married couples et all.And they are nasty with it.Normal people in the city avoid the place like the plague.The owner is a nasty piece of work and im sure the refusal would have been made even had he been there.The blokes a tw*t.But hey, its his and he decides who comes in.I hope he goes bust.Its definately not a case of not wanting to let the scum in....id support him with that.....but its ordinary people.
@stateofplay, thats a sad post mate.Im just glad that my parents generation didnt have that attitude or we'd all be nazis with obligatory moustaches.Only if you were blond though.
Violence? Im surprised it hasnt happened years ago.

 

[johnnythepie]

ill equipped crap wage packet etc
they signed up to do the job

and to think that they risk thier lives for our liberty? So its thier fault is it?

 

[johnnythepie]

I'll probably be ducking out of this argument now, but don't put words in my mouth - I'm not asking for anything, and there is a distinction between groups of servicemen and two/three (I'm not sure on the whole picture).

If two Police Officers went into a local pub to have a coffee would they get refused service?

Theyd be served coffee but not alcohol.Not allowed to buy alcohol anywhere in uniform.

 

[Reload]

I have served for best part of 2 decades now. Part of my duties a couple of years ago involved the organisation of funerals for soldiers lost in Afghanistan. On the recce for one of these, which was a considerable distance, there was a pub next to the cathedral. I had a quick word with the landlord who was more than happy to let us get changed in the back room and use his pub as a waiting area for our bearer party. I think in this case, personalities notwithstanding, the owner of browns would have let them in knowing the circumstances.

 

[riggssuzuki]

Hmm more sensationalsim by the pree methinks. Likewise i was not offended by the post earlier I also just disagreed. Facebook is the worst bloomin thing on the go. Anyone can start a campaign about anything. The guy has appologised and explained himself. Job done.

Still pi##es me off that servicemen get so little respect (that goes for all the services, police, fire, abbulance also).

About time the country gave them something back. Just because they chose to take the Queens shilling does not make it right to give them grief.

In most countires you can wear your uniform knowing it gains respect. However in the UK it gains you shouts of abuse and ridicule.....shame on those who do it!

 

[quattrojames]

In most countires you can wear your uniform knowing it gains respect. However in the UK it gains you shouts of abuse and ridicule.....shame on those who do it!

Most countries have a lot more civic pride than we do sadly.

 

[Ads]

I need a drink after reading this thread.

 

[damo.h]

Still pi##es me off that servicemen get so little respect (that goes for all the services, police, fire, abbulance also).

Agreed, so much lack of respect these days... especially the little chav's that brick the emergency services as they attend an incident.
Mindless Muppets need putting down simples!!

Most countries have a lot more civic pride than we do sadly.

Yet but they still bang the drum over the pride of Britain and all that live here, ****** !! biggest load of crap I have ever heard. but that is mainly down to the way the government has inadvertently allowed this country to go to the dogs, creating a culture of scum and takers.

 

[voorhees]

I need a drink after reading this thread.

I bet you were disappointed that there were no photos of men in uniforms