Family of seven criticise Hemel Hempstead pub after being refused booking

A family have criticised The Green Man in Leverstock Green after they were refused a table of seven at the weekend.

Danny Taber booked a table for his family for Saturday evening, but when he received an email to say they could not accommodate a booking of that size, he says he felt that they were being discriminated against for having a larger family.

Mr Taber wanted to take his children and wife out to celebrate her birthday, but they were told they were not allowed to book a table - even though they all live in the same house.

He said: "We were refused a table booking on the grounds that we have seven family members.

"I booked it in the morning for Saturday night and then I received an email stating that they would not able to take the booking because there was more than six members.

"I explained to them that we were all from the same household.

"They said that they were following government guidelines and what would I like to do, cancel the booking or change it for a smaller party?

"I told them that they were incorrect and the government guidelines state that large families are exempt from the six person rule at restaurants, and we are classed as a bubble.

"I was told that I was incorrect and was quoted the Government guidelines and subsequently they cancelled my booking.

"The restaurant then came back and said that it was company policy to not allow tables of more than six.

"I think the restaurant misread or misunderstood the guidelines, and i think it could have been handled better by them.

"I responded with the correct guidance including a link, for which they ignored.

"So according to The Green Man, I can no longer go out with my family, they have got this very wrong and I feel very much discriminated against.

"My family and I just wanted to take my wife out for a couple of birthday drinks.

"There is myself, my wife, two twin boys, two younger sons and my partner has a son as well, so there is seven of us in our house.

"It felt like we were being forced into our own mini lockdown where we can no longer go out to eat as a family, I felt like we were being discriminated against.

"Licensed premises should understand the legislation, this is why we are in this mess in the first place and now people are being discriminated against.

"We didn't try to book anywhere else, we just decided to take the boys out for a bit and then have dinner at home, I do know other places that are taking bookings for larger families.

"My son has been battling leukaemia and is now in remission, so during lockdown he didn't go at all, since things were lifted he has been out more and he has loved it.

"But now, this feels like, as a family, we are being forced back into another lockdown."

On the Government website it says that venues following COVID-19 Secure guidelines can host more than 6 people in total, but no one should visit in a group of greater than 6 (unless you are all from the same household or support bubble).

A statement for Stonegate Pub Company, said: “We are sorry that would could not accommodate Mr Taber and his family on their recent visit.

"In protecting the safety and wellbeing of our customers and staff, we have very stringent COVID-secure measures in place.

"In order to maintain the 1-metre plus rule in our venues our policy is to limit table sizes to six people only as we continue to follow the Government guidelines within our company policies.”