Pub Licence question.

[Banjo]

Spent a few days in Surrey with the family. Walked into a high street pub at 6.40 pm sat down and started to look at the menu only to be told they wouldnt serve us as under 18s had to be out by 7 "not our choice, its our license" . We were all sober quiet and tidilly dressed .

Went into another town center pub a few hundred yards away , this time I asked at the bar before sitting down and was told yes no problem provided they dont drink alcohol they can stay until 9.30. We sat down and had a very good meal .

Could 2 similar pubs in the same town center have different licenses ? Odd thing is the one that wouldnt serve us seemed more family orientated with kids type menu etc where as the one that did seemed more of a drinkers pub with food as a secondary thing.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Just read this on http://www.beerandpub.com

The licensee has overall discretion over whom he or she allows into the pub.

The Licensing Act 2003 swept away the vast majority of restrictions on allowing children in pubs. Each pub now has a unique set of conditions on the licence which sets out how the pub operates. Generally speaking, children are allowed to enter a pub unless it has a particular licence condition which says children are not to be permitted.

The exception to this is if the pub is used “primarily or exclusively” for the supply and consumption of alcohol on the premises. In this case a child under the age of 16 is not permitted on the premises when the pub is open for business unless they are accompanied by someone 18 or over.

A further restriction is that no unaccompanied child under the age of 16 is allowed on any premises licensed for the sale and consumption of alcohol on the premises between the hours of midnight and 5am if it is open for business.

 

[Banjo]

Thanks, what you say is broadly what I thought. Pub in question seemed primarilly a food pub which is why I was so surprised.

The two youngsters were 17 and 15, I could have lied about their ages but thought all that went out with spitoons and sawdust.