Full Breakdown
Wetherspoon’s Gosport Pub Turns Away Poppy-Wearers Amid Protests
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Entry Refusals at The Star on October 25
On Sunday, October 25, patrons trying to enter The Star, a JD Wetherspoon outlet in Gosport, Hampshire, were denied entry because they were wearing the Royal British Legion remembrance poppy. The refusal affected veterans, including former Army soldier Scott Schillemore, and reform-UK councillor George Madgwick, who recorded the exchange on video.
Background & Context – Demonstrations and Temporary Security Measures
The incident occurred amid a large anti-immigration march that passed through Gosport, followed by a counter-protest of roughly 75 anti-racism demonstrators. Hampshire Constabulary deployed more than 100 officers and imposed a dispersal order and face-covering restrictions between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. The pub chain later said “standard security measures” introduced because of the demonstrations led staff to refuse entry to some members of the public, including poppy-wearers.
Data & Statistics – Wetherspoon’s Recent Financial Performance
- Pre-tax profit for the year to July 26 fell 28 % to £58.6 million.
- Like-for-like sales grew 4.2 % year-on-year, with overall sales up 5.2 %.
- The nine-week period to September 27 saw an 8.6 % rise in comparable sales, helped by “exceptional weather.”
Official Statements & Responses
A spokesperson said the refusal was a result of “standard security measures” linked to the town’s demonstrations. Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, warned that recent government-led tax and regulatory increases have made pubs “even more expensive than supermarkets,” contributing to job losses and high-street decline. He urged policymakers to refrain from further cost hikes, noting that pubs and restaurants pay roughly 40 % of receipts in various taxes.
Criticism & Opposition
Councillor George Madgwick called the incident “shameful,” saying staff cited a “company policy” that prohibited poppies, equating it with a blanket ban on any political insignia, including pride-flag badges. Veteran Scott Schillemore said he was “gobsmacked” and vowed never to return to a Wetherspoon venue. Critics argue that the poppy, a symbol of remembrance, should not be treated as a political item.
Verbatim Quote
> “Wetherspoon has been a long-standing supporter of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, with poppies for sale in our pubs, including The Star. There is no ban on poppies in Wetherspoon pubs.” — Wetherspoon spokesperson
Timeline
- October 25 – Security staff at The Star refuse entry to poppy-wearers during town demonstrations.
- October 25 – The pub closes at 5 p.m. on police advice and remains shut the following day.
- October 26 – The Star reopens after the temporary closure.
- July 26 – Company reports a 28 % drop in pre-tax profit to £58.6 million.
- September 27 – Sales surge 8.6 % in the nine weeks ending on this date.
Why It Matters – Public Perception and Veteran Relations
The episode highlights tension between security protocols for large public demonstrations and cultural expectations surrounding Remembrance Day symbols. While Wetherspoon emphasizes its charitable support for the Royal British Legion, the refusal to admit veterans wearing poppies has sparked criticism from veteran groups and local politicians, potentially affecting the chain’s reputation among a demographic that traditionally frequents its pubs.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Staff described the refusal as a “company policy” ban on poppies, whereas the corporate spokesperson insists no such policy exists.
- Video footage shows differing explanations: one guard says patrons may enter if they remove the poppy, another cites a blanket rule covering any perceived political insignia. The precise internal guidance governing the decision remains unclear.