Pub sparks backlash with 'draconian' ban on swearing, mobiles and work clothes

A recently-reopened village pub came under fire after it announced 'strict' policies including no mobile phones and no workwear.

The Swan Inn in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, posted its rules on Facebook ahead of its reopening following a refurbishment, in which it described itself as a "digital detox environment", hence not allowing mobile phones, as well as saying it has a "strict no swearing policy".

The pub is operated by Samuel Smith's, which is known for its policies banning mobile phones.

The pub also sparked debate with a comment saying: "well behaved children are welcome", with some parents offended that it excludes children with certain needs, while other people backed the idea.

The Swan sits on the main line train station in Holmes Chapel, which is famous as the home village of pop superstar Harry Styles, and reopened on 12 July after a revamp.

The statement on its Facebook page said: "We are a bed and breakfast and restaurant, for the enjoyment of all our guests, this is a digital detox environment, so no mobile devices are allowed inside. We also have a strict no swearing, and no workwear policy.

"Well behaved children are welcome in the restaurant rooms for meals and outside in our beer garden until 8pm, Dogs are also welcome in our beer garden.

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"We would like to create a calm and relaxing environment for everyone to enjoy so we appreciate everyone’s understanding in respecting our policy.

"If this is not the environment for you we completely understand. We look forward to meeting you soon x"

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The post prompted a flurry of comments, with some saying the rules would 'put a lot of local people off'.

One Facebook user posted: "What a shame, for people with additional needs or additional needed children this is non accommodating completely. Was looking forward to a nice place with decent food and a large outdoor area for the kids."

Another said: "What a shame. I was hoping the pub would reopen as a more welcoming venue. The 'rules' at Samuel Smith's pubs are bizarrely draconian. For a village as warm and friendly as ours I find this incredibly out of place."

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Someone else said: "Does the new landlord/owner not realise we are living in the 21st century. Such a shame a place with so much potential is already putting people off and alienating so many people before they even open."

Some questioned how they could pay via mobile phone if the devices aren't allowed, and the pub clarified that it would, but the rule was aimed to stop people from 'scrolling' and to bring back a social environment.

But others backed the approach, with one person saying: "The rules may not be to everyone’s taste but they are specified by the brewery. Personally I’m really pleased to see the Swan open after such a long time and I wish the new managers success. We do plan to visit in the near future.

Another person wrote: "Sounds great, looks forward to visiting and enjoying some quality time, food and drink", while someone else said: "That sounds lovely - we will plan to visit as soon as possible."

The Samuel Smith's group is famously traditional, and says it bases its "pub ideals" on 20th century author George Orwell's description of the "perfect pub" in his 1945 essay The Moon Under The Water.

The pub group recites some of the essay's key messages on its website, including: "The pub is quiet enough to talk, with the house possessing neither a radio nor a piano."