Children in Pubs: Why the Hospitality Industry Should Think Twice Before Banning Families
- ETC Finance
- Nov 5
- 3 min read
All views shared are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of ETC
Over the weekend, I found myself celebrating my 30th wedding anniversary in a charming Cotswold pub. As I enjoyed a beer or two with my wife and family, the pleasurable experience reminded me of a recent BBC article about the trend of adult-only pubs.
It made me pause and reflect. Having worked in the hospitality sector for the most of my career, I have seen the industry UK pub legislation undergo sweeping changes and how that has impacted the clientele.
The late 1990s brought the end of restricted Sunday hours. The Licensing Act 2003 brought in flexible opening times and a focus on safety and community wellbeing. The smoking ban came in 2007, and after the challenges of the pandemic, came the more recent restrictions on vaping.
Each shift has forced pubs, even in high footfall areas, to adapt, innovate, and redefine what a “great pub experience” means.
Adaptability has always been the strength of the British pub. But successful pubs are those that stay inclusive, not exclusive.
So the idea of a blanket ban on children? To me that feels counterintuitive and short-sighted for several reasons.
Children Are Tomorrow’s Customers
The first and perhaps obvious reason is that children are the future customers of pubs. If young people don’t grow up feeling comfortable and welcomed in pub environments as places to share a meal, celebrate milestones, or spend time with family - they’ll seek entertainment elsewhere.
These alternatives already exist. Many leisure venues such as bowling alleys, cinemas, and even garden centres now offer alcohol alongside food. If families can’t enjoy a relaxed pint in a pub, they’ll happily take their spending power somewhere more accommodating.
Creating Family-Friendly Spaces Doesn’t Mean Sacrificing Atmosphere
Most modern pubs already have the infrastructure to balance adult and family needs. Zoning areas with designated adults-only sections and family-friendly dining spaces is standard practice across Europe. France, for example, has long excelled at this. It allows parents to enjoy a social drink while maintaining the right tone for all guests.
Of course, there’s a shared responsibility here. Parents must ensure children behave respectfully, treating staff, property, and other guests appropriately. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case and some of the backlash against children in pubs stems from frustration with inattentive parenting who deem pubs as “free childcare’.
The solution isn’t to ban families outright; it’s to set clear expectations and train staff to manage the environment effectively.
Brand Loyalty Starts Early
The emotional connection people form with a pub is powerful. These are places where families celebrate birthdays, Sunday roasts, or anniversaries and feel looked after - so often becoming part of their memories and their loyalty.
Venues that get it right create lifelong supporters - not just casual customers.
Removing the opportunity to create family occasions risks alienating a generation that could have grown up seeing pubs as a core part of community life.
A Commercial Perspective in Challenging Times
Hospitality is facing a tough trading environment. Rising costs, staffing challenges, and changing consumer habits mean every decision about inclusivity or exclusivity has real financial implications. Turning away families doesn’t just reduce potential revenue - it narrows the customer base at a time when the industry needs to broaden it.
In my view, the most successful pubs in the years ahead will be those that continue to evolve thoughtfully: balancing adult comfort with family inclusivity, maintaining atmosphere without alienation, and remembering that the pub has always been, at its best, a community space.
So, should children be banned from pubs? Not in my book. If anything, they should be welcomed - with structure, respect, and the same spirit of hospitality that defines our industry.
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Andrew Carr
Operations Director, ETC Finance Ltd
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