Oxfordshire pub bans under 25s in evenings for 'refusing to adhere to any social distancing rules'

A pub landlord has banned under 25s in the evenings after some drinkers "refused to adhere to any social distancing rules".

There were scenes of celebration in England last weekend as the country ended three months of coronavirus lockdown, on what was dubbed "Super Saturday".

But the Royal Standard in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, said younger drinks have been "impossible to control" since reopening its doors.

Landlord David Haines told the BBC: "In spite of how many times you ask them to sit in groups of six, it goes out the window. It was impossible to control.

"We've got a greater duty to our customers and our staff.

"We apologise to those of you who are affected and we will review this decision periodically."

A statement on the pub's Facebook page said: "Please note that from 8pm tonight we will be implementing an over 25s only rule in the evenings.

"This is because the last three nights have seen us attract unprecedented numbers of younger drinkers who are refusing to adhere to any social distancing rules which, in the current climate, is putting both our staff and our regular customers at risk.

"We apologise to those of you who are affected and we will review this decision periodically until we are in safer times but, until then, if you are under 25 and it is later than 8pm, you will be refused entry."

It comes after five pubs had to close just days after reopening after customers tested positive for coronavirus.

The Lighthouse Kitchen and Carvery in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, said a customer had tested positive and it was making its way through a list of people who were in the bar on Saturday.

The Fox and Hounds in Batley, West Yorkshire, closed after receiving a call from a customer on Monday to say they had tested positive.

The Village Home Pub in Alverstoke, Gosport, said it had also "had a case of coronavirus in the pub", adding that "some of us are in isolation".

The Angel and The Boot and Shoe, both in Ackworth, near Wakefield in West Yorkshire, also shut their doors on Thursday.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said "the vast majority of people acted in a safe, sensible and responsible manner" on "Super Saturday".

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