Pub considers banning ‘feral’ kids causing chaos while parents look the other way

Pub landlords are threatening to ban children after fed-up drinkers complained about ‘feral’ youngstersrunning amok in beer gardens. 

Bosses at The Market Inn, in Faversham, Kent, said it may become a strictly over-12s venue after kids were accused of tearing up plants, throwing stones and barging into customers while parents looked the other way.

In a blunt Facebook post landlord Tim Stowell said he was breaking at point. ‘Sorry to moan, however, it is becoming more and more frequent that parents are not watching or looking after their children while in the pub,’ he wrote

He describes a variety of poor behaviours, adding: ‘If parents are not willing to look after their children, we will make it a 12-and-over pub at all times. It’s not down to our team to supervise your children.’

A similar appeal for better parental control came from the hosts of The Anchor pub, also in Faversham.

Although not threatening a ban on children, landlord Mark Revell said he is sad to have to draw attention to the issue.

‘We can’t believe we’re having to write this so early in the year,’ he posted on the pub’s Facebook page. ‘Unfortunately, we’ve had a few incidents where children have been allowed to pick, snap, and pull out plants in our garden.’

Mr Revell said this includes leaves being pulled from their Japanese acer, which was planted in memory of his partner Paige’s dad.

‘As you can imagine, this is very upsetting,’ he said. ‘We kindly ask all parents and guardians to please supervise children at all times and respect our garden space.’

Drew Cassell, manager of The Anchor, said that he backed the owners’ message.

‘They have raised concerns because it’s just not acceptable for parents to allow their children to run around, out of control, causing damage,’ he added.

‘We spend a lot of time and money on the garden to make it nice for customers and all we are asking is for a little bit of respect.’

The Market Inn, owned by Shepherd Neame, is run by Tim and Lacey Stowell, who also have the Bear Inn in the town.

Both social media posts have sparked dozens of comments, with most people lamenting the deterioration in children’s behaviour and parenting and supporting a ban.

The Stowells have declined to comment further but received overwhelming support from those responding on their post, as have the hosts of The Anchor.

‘Parenting has deteriorated greatly over the past few years,’ wrote John Walker. ‘Quite often glued to their mobiles while their kids run riot. Most people do not want unruly, unsupervised brats running around while enjoying a social drink with family and friends.’

‘Nothing worse than kids running around and being feral when you’re trying to have a nice drink,’ said Ally Andrews.

Caz Carey commented: ‘If you choose to have a child, the least you can do is to teach it basic manners and consideration for others. If you cannot do that, I don’t want to drink where you do.’

Replying to The Market Inn’s post, Jacqui Clark said: ‘Such a shame you have to write this, as you have created a lovely, welcoming pub for the community to enjoy, always with a smile on your face.’

But Stacey Ferguson was less supportive of a ban.

‘I understand the concerns about children needing supervision, but I also have to say the post feels quite unwelcoming,’ she says/ ‘From the picture, it doesn’t look like there’s anything particularly child-focused to attract kids anyway, just grass and fencing. It’s made me reconsider visiting.’

In 2024, the then-new hosts of the Wheel Inn pub at Westwell near Ashford introduced a ban on under-14s.

At the time Mandy Keefe and John Forge said they wanted to create an adult-only environment where customers “don’t want kids running about”.

In February this year, former BBC newsreader Jan Leeming sparked debate when she complained on X about a screaming child ruining her birthday lunch at The Pig at Bridge.

She criticised the parents, who she claims did little to intervene to stop ‘the little menace’, and suggested that if they could afford the prices at the upmarket restaurant, they could also afford a babysitter.

Ms Leeming said that when she paid, she remonstrated with the staff, but said: ‘I was treated as though I were the one at fault.’

Her post prompted many comments of support about the bad behavior of children in public venues and the lack of parental control.