Should conversation topics in pubs be policed in Lincolnshire and Rutland?
A potential ban on contentious conversations in pubs has raised some eyebrows among publicans.
As part of Labour’s workers’ rights reforms, ministers have suggested employers must protect their staff from harassment by customers, or risk being sued.
But the Equality and Human Rights Commission is warning this could potentially be applied to overheard conversations in pubs, such as people talking about religion, women’s rights, and gay and transgender rights.
If it became law, publicans might have to step in to end a conversation or even ban people from the premises in order to protect staff.
Katrina Glover who runs The Lord Harrowby in Dudley Road, Grantham, feels monitoring customers’ conversations would be a difficult task, and making it law seems a step too far.
“Our staff work very hard and they come first. But while I would certainly protect them, I don’t know how I would police it. The guidelines from the Government would need to be very clear.
“We have lots of customers coming into the pub and most are very respectful. But different age groups have different views on what is appropriate - some are quite ‘old school’ in their views.”
Katrina added that she knows a fair few publicans and all of them have enough common sense to intervene if conversations in their pubs get out of hand.
Michael Thurlby, owner of Stamford’s The Tobie Norris and Paten and Co, responded to the potential ban with the words: “The communist state is on its way!”
Meanwhile, Sir Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, described it as “Big Brother thought control which would be a bureaucratic nightmare to enforce” in his pubs, which include former Mercury office The Stamford Post, The Raymond Mays in Bourne, The Ivy Wall in Spalding, The Captain Noel Newton in Oakham, and The Tollemache Inn, Grantham.
Sir Tim added: “All beliefs which challenge the status quo are contentious. Newton’s law of gravity and Einstein’s theory of relativity were contentious at one point. Or Alexander Fleming creating the biggest-ever advance in medicine from mould. Or Bill Gates’s personal computer software challenging IBM.
“Humanity has progressed through these challenges and their subsequent debate. The cancellation of ideas is, in effect, a new religious commandment by those who think they’re not religious.”
LincsOnline's very own Secret Drinker said: "Good pubs should always be a place for people to cut loose, have some fun and forget about the troubles of the real world.
"Since man discovered how to get sloshed, a good landlord at a good pub has always known the difference between good-natured fun, a risque joke or downright hatred - and acted appropriately. I don't think they'll need telling how to run their boozers.
"In fact, I've met plenty of people behind the bar who aren't shy in telling me what the Government could be doing better. Perhaps they could swap notes?"
Do you think landlords should monitor conversations in pubs? Share your views in the comments…