Pub refused extra outdoor seating after drinkers ‘wolf-whistle at customers of nearby beauty salon’

Pub is refused extra outdoor seating after drinkers ‘wolf-whistle at customers of nearby beauty salon’

  • Coachmakers Arms in Stoke-on-Trent denied permission to double seating area
  • Expansion would have blocked access to car park also used by salon’s customers
  • The salon’s manager said she received complaints over pubgoers wolf-whistling
  • In response to allegations, Mr Ledgar started selling pale ale called ‘Wolf Whistle’

A pub has been refused extra outdoor seating after drinkers ‘wolf-whistled at the customers of a nearby beauty salon’.

The Coachmakers Arms in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was denied permission to double its seating area from six to 12 tables by the area’s licensing sub-committee.

The expansion would have blocked access to a small council-owed car park, which was also used by customers at Studio Amour, the licensing hearing was told.

In her objection, Charlie Dixey, the salon’s manager, said she received complaints over male pubgoers making inappropriate comments and wolf-whistling at clients.

Coachmakers Arms’ landlord Rob Ledgar told the hearing that the claims were ‘hearsay’, saying: ‘My customers have never wolf-whistled any of the customers’

The pub in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was denied permission to double its seating area from six to 12 tables by the area's licensing sub-committee

The pub in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was denied permission to double its seating area from six to 12 tables by the area’s licensing sub-committee

She wrote to the council: ‘We have had complaints from many clients that male customers of The Coachmakers, when they previously had a street cafe, have made inappropriate comments and actions (wolf-whistling) to them.

‘Our clients and staff will not feel comfortable walking past men sitting outside, never mind being under the influence of alcohol, and would feel very uncomfortable.’

The manager also told the committee: ‘In the process of helping one business, ours will be completely torn down and damaged.’ 

But pub landlord Rob Ledgar told the hearing that the claims were ‘hearsay’, reports the BBC.

He said: ‘My customers have never wolf-whistled any of the customers leaving Studio Amour to my knowledge and if they did I would ask them to leave the pub.’

In response to the allegations, Mr Ledgar started selling a pale ale called ‘Wolf Whistle’ at £2.80 per pint and attached an advert in the pub’s window.

A tweet made by the pub, who posted: 'Fancy a Wolf Whistle? See you in the Coachmakers Arms - Hanley #wolfwhistle #paleale #ifyouknowyouknow'

A tweet made by the pub, who posted: ‘Fancy a Wolf Whistle? See you in the Coachmakers Arms – Hanley #wolfwhistle #paleale #ifyouknowyouknow’

The landlord said he did not mean to encourage wolf-whistling or imply that it was ‘a bit of fun’, reports Stoke on Trent Live

He told the hearing: ‘I have not said wolf whistling was a bit of fun. I am not encouraging wolf whistling. I am selling a beer called Wolf Whistle, simple as that.’ 

Mr Ledgar also said he takes offence to anyone wolf-whistling and that he expects his customers to be civil and honest people. 

The committee’s decision is set to be published in five days and the pub will have 21 days to appeal.