Defiant landlords who have banned youngsters from their recently-renovated village pub are standing by their adults-only policy, as critics say the decision is archaic.
Mandy Keefe and John Forge welcomed punters back to The Wheel Inn in Westwell, near Ashford, Kent, last week after it was closed for more than two years.
The pair have lovingly renovated and extended the venue, which also features an adjoining tea room.
But notably there were no children at the opening party.
The couple say they have decided not to admit under-14s due to a lack of adult-only spaces and environments where people can relax while enjoying a pint.
Barred: Mandy Keefe and John Forge have imposed an adults-only policy at their pub
A sign at The Wheel Inn in Westwell, near Ashford, Kent states no youngsters are welcome
Mr Forge told KentOnline: Were getting older people saying, Brilliant, we dont want b****y kids running about.
We get people actually standing at the bar saying: This is great because we dont have to worry.
In a pub, you dont watch your language. Youre drinking - youre taking a legal drug.
Youre then, at times, behaving inappropriately.
Customers have said its brilliant, because they dont have to watch exactly what theyre saying.
The publicans say they do not want to facilitate a rowdy atmosphere or encourage swearing and shouting.
But, it still happens, Ms Keefe said.
Do people really want their children in that sort of adult environment?
Also, what is there for children to do? So, they get bored.
Then they start to run, they start to cry, or they get shouty.
That impacts on those people who have come in here for a quiet, adult time.
Weve had people in here sitting all evening on the sofas, meeting up with their friends, having a nice chat, and all have said what a lovely atmosphere it is.
Unfortunately, part of that lovely atmosphere is no children.
The landlords are standing by their decision and say they have created a lovely environment
The pub only just reopened and has been renovated after being closed for more than two years
Up until 1995, it was illegal in England and Wales to bring under 14s into pubs.
The Licensing Act 2003 allows pubs and restaurants to operate their own policies relating to children.
Ms Keefe, who has adult children herself, says the Wheel Inns rule is to some extent a tribute to the glory days of the boozer.
The 62-year-old said: If you go on holiday, you can choose to go to an adult-only hotel or resort or cruise.
Here, where can you go where there are no children? Nowhere.
What weve done here is given people a choice.
Were the only ones that are saying no children.
Were providing a nice environment for adults to go where they can talk and chat and be adults together.
However, some critics on social media have blasted the rule as archaic.
One mother, who recently moved to the village, said: It will please a very small demographic, unfortunately not the future one.
Even when my kids come of age, I dont get the impression theyll be welcomed with open arms.
Its archaic and just a shame more than anything. Were gutted as we were looking forward to getting to know people in the village.
The landlords, who bought the villages only pub in March 2022, say they will not change their policy to please parents.
The landlords decision to ban all children has been slammed by critics as being archaic
The pub owners argue that if people can go to an adult-only hotel or cruise, they should be allowed to enjoy a pint in a child-free environment
The Licensing Act 2003 allows pubs and restaurants to operate their own policies relating to children. Pictured: Inside the newly-renovated village pub
Mr Forge, 59, said: I really couldnt give a toss about them, because what youll find is that theyre actually hypocrites.
At the end of the day - when their kids have grown up - 90 per cent of them will want to go to a child-free environment.
Ms Keefe was more affected by the criticism and dismayed that it occurred on social media rather than in person.
When the signs went up, nobody came to speak to us. Not one person, she said.
Its a close-knit community, and then suddenly you look on what is the village Facebook page, and you see it being slated.
Its not very pleasant.
It felt like I was being bullied into changing my mind rather than coming in the door and asking why weve done it.
Mr Forge added: They shouldnt be allowed to dictate. There are places for them to go to. Go to those places - end of.
Before last Thursday, the former Shepherd Neame-owned Wheel Inn had been closed for more than two-and-a-half years.
The previous landlord boarded up the building, saying it was a fantastic pub, but trade had dropped after the Covid pandemic.
After purchasing the inn, the current owners first planning bid for an extension was refused by Ashford Borough Council, sparking outrage against the authority in the village.
A second application was given the green light and the couple undertook a lengthy renovation.
A House of Commons research briefing on children in pubs says: A commercial service provider like a restaurateur or pub landlord is entitled to refuse to serve someone.
In exercising that right, the service provider must consider the obligations placed on them by legislation outlawing discrimination on grounds of disability or race.
However, there is no law that would cover alleged discrimination against children.