Sheffield pub throws out customers taking drugs and sneaking in drinks after reopening
The landlady of a popular Sheffield pub has spoken out about customers flouting social distancing rules, sneaking in their own drinks, taking drugs on the premises and abusing staff.
Sophie Bailey, who runs The Closed Shop in Crookesmoor, says she never had any problems before lockdown but since reopening she has had to throw out around 10 people or groups of people due to their unacceptable behaviour.
"It’s been insane. It’s like people are either overexcited about being allowed back into pubs or they’ve just forgotten how to behave,” she said.
Sophie, who also runs The Albion on London Road, which has yet to reopen, told how within three hours of reopening on Saturday, July 4, one customer had tried to buy cider for their child, which could have cost the pub its licence.
Since then, she and her staff have had to deal with people flouting social distancing rules, sneaking in drinks, smoking cannabis, trespassing in the beer garden after hours, abusing staff and other drinkers, leaving without paying and failing to turn up after booking a table.
"It’s a real community pub and we were so excited to reopen and see our customers again after being closed since March, even if it has been a bit of a learning curve with the new regulations in place,” she said.
"Our regulars have been so nice and supportive but the way some people have behaved has really spoiled things for everyone else.
"Just because we’re serving you doesn’t give you the right to treat us like rubbish. The attitude and abuse we’ve had from some customers has been just awful, and it really gets you down.”
Since venting her anger in a lengthy post on the pub’s Facebook page earlier this week, Sophie said things had calmed down and people had been really supportive.
"Hopefully the message is getting across,” she added.
She also told how despite having to drastically reduce indoor seating, to comply with social distancing guidelines, sales had actually been higher than they were before the lockdown began.