Locals have been left furious after an out-of-town male diner's complaint saw a pub forced to cancel their long-running Ladies' Night.
Simon Skinner, owner of The Star Inn in Lingfield, Surrey, cancelled the event after the male customer reportedly threatened to report the gender themed night for discrimination.
The beloved tradition, that started in 2010, offered women discounted food and drink, but will give its last orders after October apparently because one out-of-town punter threatened to report them for 'discrimination'.
Now, locals have voiced their anger at the pub's moaning patron, branding the complaint 'ridiculous' and that the 'world had gone mad'.
After the pub's owner Simon posted news about the night's cancellation on Facebook, one user wrote: "I think you should continue ladies' night but also a night specifically for the boys. Then they can't complain. Then no one misses out."
"And men like him are the reason why us ladies love getting together on a Monday night!! Maybe keep it but change its name." Another commented
One wrote: "I love your pub and good on you for doing ladies' night for 12 years, the fact it was a man that has put an end to it! Oh the irony."
One supportive hubby commented: "I have been down on a Monday night with my wife.
"I paid full price for my meal and never had a problem with that.
"This village is turning into one sad place. Seems some people get off about moaning for moaning sake.
"All I can say is keep going with it. I'm sure that 99.9% of men won't have a problem with it."
Others suggested ways that the Star could accommodate all customers.
One wrote: "Why not rename it and give everyone 25% off food. In a world where we want equality we need to remember that both men and women need support from friends and groups.
The country pub had previously revealed on its Facebook page that the night was introduced as a way to 'right the balance' when it came to gender inequality.
Simon, from Lindfield, West Sussex claims, this was the first time anybody had taken issue with Ladies' Night in his 12 years of running the Star Inn - and his 26 years in the business offering this deal.
He said: "The guy who complained on Monday night refused to pay full price. He was from out of town and was staying in our hotel, we're a pub with rooms.
"At first he was doing it in a jokey way, then he turned serious. I thought 'this could go further and create a lot of bad press'.
"This is the first time I've had a complaint. We'd get men who would joke 'when you going to do a lads' night?'
"But they don't really mean it seriously. This is the first time in twelve years that somebody has seriously said 'this is discrimination, this has to stop'.
"This man was threatening to take it further. A lot of Facebook commenters saw the story as 'What? Just one complaint from one man?'
"But it's not as simple as that, it is a serious complaint and you have to respond to it."
Simon hosted Ladies' Nights at his previous establishments since the mid-1990s and found it was positively received by both men and women.
"I bought my first restaurant in 1996 and I started doing 'Ladies Night' there and had a successful eight years there, Ladies' Night was always great.” Simon said.
"I always knew deep down it was a bit iffy, but it was always done with the best of intentions.
"It was about giving back to women, who quite often don't get a good deal. In total, I've been doing this offer for 26 years. We've had a really good run.
"After 26 years, I've spoken to a lot of people about this night. Overwhelmingly, both men and women are very happy with this offer.
"Around 20% of the people showing up on the Monday night will be men bringing their partners out for what is in effect a cheaper date."
Simon claims that Ladies' Night works because women are 'more conversational' than men.
"I think men deep down know that women love having that space where they can chat with friends.” Simon said.
"When the women come on Monday night, they'll sit and talk about every aspect of their lives for two hours.
"That just doesn't happen with men. It's mostly 'you alright?', 'yeah, you?', 'You watch the game?' Women have that need to communicate, much more than men do.
"I just think it gives women something that is special for them - and it's a great opportunity to catch up with friends. Ladies' Night works really well - the conversation flows.
"My wife had a friend over the other day to look at something and they ended up talking for two hours.
"I just don't think men have that much to say to each other. I know that is sexist. A lot of men do have a lot to talk about, I know that me and my friends can talk, but women can have these conversations with acquaintances and work colleagues.
"Unless men are really close, I don't think they have that same connection. Monday nights have been popular at the Star Inn for years, with spaces filling up weeks in advance."
