Seagull raids at tearoom mean diners ‘eat at their own risk’
Customers at a seaside tearoom are being warned “eat at your own risk” after tables were targeted by divebombing seagulls.
The Lemon Tree eatery in the resort town of Llandudno, North Wales, has been forced to place the signs on its outdoor eating area after a spate of bird attacks.
The gulls have been seen attempting to steal food from customers’ tables at the Alice in Wonderland-themed tearoom.
A sign leading to the outdoor area now reads: “Important notice. Eat outside at own risk. We are unable to replace food taken by seagulls.”
The tearoom - which has a four star rating on TripAdvisor - is set just back from the town’s historic promenade, where gulls are a regular visitor.
One customer said: “Had a sandwich snatched clean away as I lifted it to my mouth for the first bite.”
Another said: “Absolute menace. They are protected, believe it or not.”
One person suggested the restaurant invest in larger sun parasols in a bid to deter the birds and protect diners. “We are by the coast,” she said.
It comes after seagulls were pictured diving for holidaymakers ice creams in Cornwall. Photographer Tom McAsey, 56, captured the creatures as they flocked to Port Isaac last week.
He described the town as having a “seagull epidemic” and added: “The seagulls are renowned for stealing pasties and ice creams. “I waited to get the timing right for the photos - the seagulls were just hovering.”
Visitors are often warned by locals about aggressive gulls, and Mr McAsey recommended those with ice creams should “take shelter immediately”.