Meet the defiant pub owners who have banned children from drinking in their lovingly renovated villa – and don't care about the backlash

Defiant landlords who banned young people from the village's recently renovated pub are maintaining 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 had been closed for more than two years.

The pair have carefully renovated and expanded the venue, which also has an adjoining tea room.

But, remarkably, there were no children at the opening party.

The couple states that they decided not to admit children under 14 due to a lack of adults-only spaces and environments where people can relax while enjoying a beer.

A sign at The Wheel Inn in Westwell, near Ashford, Kent, states that no young people are welcome

Forge told KentOnline: 'We're getting older people to say, 'Brilliant, we don't want crazy kids running around.'

'We've had people come to the bar saying, 'This is great because we don't have to worry.'

'In a pub, you don't watch your language. You're drinking – you're taking a legal drug.

'So you are sometimes behaving inappropriately.

'Customers have said it's brilliant because they don't have to pay attention to exactly what they're saying.'

Publicans say they do not want to facilitate a rowdy atmosphere or encourage swearing and shouting.

“But it still happens,” Keefe said.

'Do people really want their children in that kind of adult environment?

'Besides, what is there for kids to do? Then they get bored.

“Then they start running, crying or screaming.

“It impacts people who have come here to spend some quiet, adult time.

“We've had people here sitting all night on the sofas, meeting up with friends, having a nice chat, and everyone has said it's a lovely atmosphere.

“Unfortunately, part of this charming atmosphere is the absence of children.”

The owners stand by their decision and say they created a “lovely environment”

The pub has just reopened and has been renovated after being closed for more than two years

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 regarding children.

Mrs. Keefe, who also has adult children, says the Wheel Inn rule is “to some extent” an homage to the drink's glory days.

The 62-year-old said: 'If you go on holiday, you can choose to go to an adults-only hotel, resort or cruise.

'Here, where can you go where there are no children? Nowhere.

“What we did here was give people a choice.

'We are the only ones who say there are no children.

“We're providing a nice environment for adults to go where they can talk, talk and be adults together.”

However, some critics on social media called the rule “archaic.”

One mother, who recently moved to the village, said: 'It will appeal to a very small demographic, unfortunately not the future.

“Even when my children come of age, I don’t have the impression that they will be welcomed with open arms.

“It’s archaic and a shame, more than anything. We are devastated because we were looking forward to meeting the people in the village.

The owners, who bought the village's only pub in March 2022, say they will not change their policy to please parents.

The owners' decision to ban all children was called “archaic” by critics.

Pub owners argue that if people can go to an adults-only hotel or cruise, they should be able to enjoy a pint in a child-free environment.

The Licensing Act 2003 allows pubs and restaurants to operate their own policies regarding children. Pictured: Inside the newly renovated village pub

Forge, 59, said: “I don't really give a shit about them, because what you'll find is they're really hypocrites.

'Ultimately – when your children grow up – 90% of them will want to go to a child-free environment.'

Keefe was more affected by the criticism and dismayed that it occurred on social media than in person.

“When the signs appeared, no one came to talk to us. Not a single person,” she said.

“It’s a very close-knit community and all of a sudden you look at the village’s Facebook page and see it’s scheduled.

'It's not very pleasant.

“It felt like I was being bullied into changing my mind instead of walking in the door and asking why we did this.”

Forge added: “They shouldn’t be able to dictate. There are places for them to go. Go to these places, end of process.

Before last Thursday, the Wheel Inn, owned by Shepherd Neame, had been closed for more than two and a half years.

The previous owner boarded up the building, saying it was a 'fantastic pub', but trade fell following 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 village authority.

A second application was given the green light and the couple undertook a lengthy renovation.

A House of Commons inquiry report into “children in pubs” states: “A provider of commercial services, such as a restaurant owner or pub landlord, has the right to refuse to serve someone.

'When exercising this right, the service provider must take into account the obligations imposed on him by legislation prohibiting discrimination on grounds of disability or race.

'However, there is no law that covers alleged 'discrimination' against children.'