A pensioner, 82, has demanded to know why he has been banned from his local pub.
Ivor Rodgers believes he has been the victim of a "catastrophic misunderstanding" after he was barred from The Beech Tree in Kirk Ella. He had been visiting the pub for more than two decades and had enjoying taking a regular friend to the boozer, who had additional needs, there for lunch.
As reported by Hull Live, Ivor became involved in what he believed to be a minor issue over a discount voucher in March. The next time he went in, he was stunned to learn that a member of staff didn't want to serve him.
A manager then called him to tell him he was banned. Ember Inns, which owns The Beech Tree, said it would not allow guests to "behave in a way that causes upset to other guests or to our team".
Ivor has insisted that he did not use any foul or intimidating language and insisted that has offered to apologise for any offence he may have caused. The dispute started when Ivor attempted to use a money-off voucher towards meals for himself and his friend.
But, because he was trying to pay for one meal with cash and another with his card, he was only able to get the discount off one meal, rather than two.
He said: "On Thursday, March 30, I took my friend to The Beech Tree after his three-month stay in hospital for heart problems. I armed myself with a 25 per cent off meals voucher, which covered up to six people, and intended to use it for both of our meals.
"After finding a table, I joined the longish queue and was greeted by a lady who I have known to work there for several years, who has always been lovely and helpful, especially with my friend's condition. I tried to pay for my friend's meal with cash and my meal with a card, but unfortunately the voucher system only favoured one payment method.
"I tried to restart the voucher process. However, a man behind me started becoming very impatient, so I decided to forego my discount, while David received his. The lady behind the counter sensibly suggested that she send a manager to our table later to sort it, but he never arrived."
He decided to email Ember Inns and a general manager replied offering a £10 voucher as an apology for the misunderstanding. The following week, Ivor and his friend visited again, but received a shock when the woman who last served Ivor refused to do so again.
Ivor continued: "When I approached the bar to order an initial pint, I was informed that the lady who usually served me, had decided not to serve me. I was absolutely mortified that she had, for whatever reason, decided not to serve me, so I naturally attempted to speak with her to try to reconcile.
"A young man then appeared and poured me a drink, and I asked why I had been refused service, especially as I've always been welcomed in the pub. He assured me that although the lady would not be serving me again, I could still eat and drink there.
"I could only imagine the catastrophic misunderstanding that had taken place, as I have never been shunned by anyone in my life. I then went home and contacted the umbrella company Mitchells and Butlers with my concerns."
Barred
After contacting the company, Ivor said he received a phone call from a regional manager at Ember Inns, to inform him that he had been banned. Ivor added: "Being barred from a pub is usually associated with aggression, drunken behaviour, or physical violence, mostly involving folk much younger than my 82 years of age!
"I'm not sure what I have done to justify the ban, and I feel as though it blights my reputation. I would, without any hesitation, be prepared to apologise for anything I might have said or done that might have been interpreted by the lady to justify this reaction. I would never wish her ill in any way at all."
The Beech Tree had been a favourite pub for 20 years, he added, because of the wonderful food and helpful staff.
Hull Live put Ivor's claims to Ember Inns. The pub chain said it could not comment on an individual case, but spoke of how it was committed to creating a kind environment for customers and staff.
A spokesperson for Ember Inns said: "Whilst we can’t comment on individual guest experiences, we can confirm our policy that occasionally in situations where guests behave in a way that causes upset to other guests or to our team we have to refuse service.
"These decisions are never taken lightly, but we have to ensure our guests and team members have a positive experience when they visit or are working with us, so regretfully when we are put in this position through poor behaviour we do ask guests to refrain from visiting us."
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