Backlash after Scrooge pub landlords ban Christmas jumpers ‘to discourage rowdy behaviour
One landlord claimed he brought in the ban as he doesn't want "15 lads all dressed in Christmas jumpers" making a "beeline" for the bar
A SCROOGE landlord banned Christmas Jumpers in his pubs on national Christmas Jumper Day - so his regulars can get to the bar easier.
Festive-spirited punters celebrating national Christmas Jumper Day on Friday were booted out of three boozers run by landlord Alan Murphy, 35, after 8pm if they were wearing the Yuletide knits.
Alan was urged by charity Save The Children to lift his ban temporarily - to raise money for millions of kids in need around the world.
But Alan says there is a good reason for the decision to ban the brightly-coloured knitted threads in all of three of his up-market boozers.
He explained he brought in the ban as he doesn't want "15 lads all dressed in Christmas jumpers" making a "beeline" for the bar - making it difficult for his loyal customers.
He says his ruling, which has been brought into the Hawkes and Walters pub in Hull, East Yorks., provides a tranquil environment during the festive period.
Speaking about the decision, Alan said: "We have spent a fortune making this place nice and we feel we need this dress code, much in the same way some upmarket restaurants won't allow sportswear.
"We are a small pub and we cannot accommodate large groups - we don't want to attract stag dos and large office parties in a place which only has room for 70 people.
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"We don't want 15 lads all dressed in Christmas jumpers making a beeline for the bar and making life difficult for others."
Mr Murphy says there are larger pubs in Hull, East Yorks., which can accompany up to 500 people and who are happy to allow large groups in.
And his policy is far from angering customers as Alan insists he has bags of support for his idea - and even some smaller pubs across the city are taking note.
He said: "During the festive period, we want to be a haven of tranquillity for those looking to have a civilised drink in the evening.
"These are the people that drink with us all year round and we don't want large gangs who come here once a year ruining that for others."
"We are also doing these guys a favour - we don't sell alcopops and lager on tap.
"We are basically telling these groups that it isn't worth their while coming into a candlelit pub full of couples and older people."
Job Centre staff in Manchester and drivers at Lothian Buses in Edinburgh were also banned from wearing Christmas jumpers amid fears they may look unprofessional.
But Mark Everett, founder of Cheesy Christmas Jumpers, said the outright ban made no sense, saying he had been turned away from a Bradford booze for his festive sweater.
He told The Sunday Telegraph: "Management and doormen should always using their discretion in venues rather than upholding a blanket ban on Christmas jumpers.
"It is very annoying when it happens."
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