Couple's 'mini-moon ruined' after what Wetherspoon's manager did

A man claims his mini-moon has been ruined after he and his wife were told to leave a Merseyside Wetherspoons. Pete Hopkinson and his wife Wendy headed to Southport yesterday, November 4, for their two day trip to the seaside town as they celebrated getting married in August.

The couple, who are from Bolton were staying at the Royal Clifton Hotel on the Promenade, a stone's throw from the Sir Henry Segrave JD Wetherspoon restaurant. On their first evening in the town they said they visited the branch for some food and drinks along with their assistance dog, Princess Pink Hopkinson "without issue".

However, Pete, 43, claims the following day when he went back to the restaurant and ordered food and drinks with his wife, they were approached by a manager and asked to leave due to the company's 'no dog policy'.

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Pete, who has his assistance dog to help him "integrate into society" due to his severe autism, told the ECHO how the altercation with the manager had made the couple feel as though the break, which is the first they have had as a married couple, has been ruined. He claims he had to take medication due to the stress and Wendy, who struggles with blood sugar and also has autism, has spent hours recovering from the distress.

Pete, a social media networker and blogger, said: "We're simple people and we don't need to spend loads of money to be happy. We thought it would be good to come to Southport because it's the quiet season in the town and it's not too far away for a couple of nights.

"My dog is there to make my life easier and allows me to connect with society, assistance dogs have the same rights as guidance dogs so there is no reason why they shouldn't have let us stay. If this has happened to me it could happen to someone else."

Following the alleged incident Pete took a photo of a sign on the door of the venue which reads "Sorry. No dogs allowed except for assistance dogs".

A spokesperson for JD Wetherspoon told the ECHO: "For many years , we have not permitted dogs or other animals in Wetherspoon pubs.

"Exceptions are made for trained guide dogs and other types of assistance dog. We do not however allow entry to emotional support dogs. On this occasion, it was not clear that the customer’s dog was an assistance dog. The company’s policy was explained to the customer and he was politely asked not to bring his dog to the pub."