Barracuda pub throws children out after 45 minutes

A London pub is sticking to its guns despite controversy over the introduction of its "Eat and Go" policy for families.

The Barracuda-owned Tollgate pub in Dartford initially imposed a requirement that diners with children leave half an hour after their meal was served in a bid to combat the antisocial behaviour of some children. The conditions were set out in literature on the tables.

After a local outcry from mothers, the eating-up time was extended to 45 minutes.

Pub manager John Mead defended the policy: "It was put in place to try to address a few issues we had with parental responsibility. Hopefully, this policy will help to dissipate the problem."

A spokeswoman for Barracuda added: "There have been incidences in this pub where families have come in and their children have not been supervised ­- to the extent that other customers were leaving.

"We want all customers to be able to enjoy the environment and want all families to supervise their children and not let them run about the pub."

A local shopper, who did not want to be named, agreed that the policy was right. "The place has become an unofficial crèche and I don't eat there any more because there are too many children running riot."

by Emily Manson

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