Wetherspoons patrons are upset as the pub chain enforces a new rule banning drinking at the bar, sparking backlash from regulars.
Rayleigh: So, there’s been a bit of a stir at Wetherspoons lately. The pub chain has decided to stop folks from drinking at the bar, and let me tell you, people are not happy about it.
At The Roebuck in Essex, there’s a sign saying, “No drinking at the bar.” They want you to grab your drink and move away. It’s a big change for regulars who love chatting with the staff and other locals while enjoying a pint.
One local, Alf, who’s 71, shared his thoughts. He said he misses standing at the bar, chatting with everyone. He gets why they’re doing it, but it’s just not the same.
This new rule comes after they started making people queue to order drinks. Gone are the days of jostling for a spot at the bar. The pub says it’s all about making service smoother, not about health and safety.
The manager explained that during busy times, like Christmas, it gets packed. They need people to move away from the bar to keep things running smoothly. They’re not budging on this, even if some customers are upset.
But not everyone is against the change. Micky, a 64-year-old scaffolder, pointed out that it can get confusing when people just stand around at the bar. He reminisced about the good old days but acknowledged that things are different now.
He gets that the pub is more about food these days, and while some folks will always miss the old vibe, others are just rolling with the changes.
