An angry mum has slated a pub that took away her 19-year-old daughter's wine, which she was sharing as they had a meal. The family ordered drinks first and then the starters arrived - after which a member of staff asked the young woman to prove her age.
The customer said her husband showed the staff member a photo of their daughter's ID on his phone, but they were told that wasn't good enough and the glass of wine was taken away by the manager. Rules state that people as young as 16 can drink wine in a pub if accompanied by an adult and having a meal.
The woman left a one-star rating on Tripadvisor for The Lyttelton Arms in Hagley after her visit. Her review's headline said: "Rude staff. Lack of legal knowledge more training needed," reports BirminghamLive.
The review reads: "On arrival we were shown to our table and we all ordered drinks and our meals at the same time. Husband and son ordered cokes whilst me and my daughter ordered a bottle of wine to share.
"Drinks arrived first. Whilst eating our starters the waitress returned and asked for ID from my 19-year-old daughter.
"She hadn’t brought it with her but hubby thought he had a solution and asked the waitress to give us a minute as we were eating our starters. The waitress left then returned within a minute to take away our daughter's glass of wine.
"Again my husband asked for five minutes. Then we assume a manager (who did not introduce herself) came over. My husband had a copy of our daughter's driving licence on his phone however this was not good enough.
"We did not make a scene but due to the impatience and the way it was handled we asked for the bill left and have since cancelled another meal that was booked at the Lyttleton Arms for another family event."
Sher added: "She was 19 but even so they handle the situation really rudely and badly! More legal training needed! Will not be returning!"
The manager of the Lyttelton Arms, Marc Hyatt, responded to the review. He said the law is at the manager's discretion - and that it is company policy they do not serve alcohol to anyone under 18. He added that photos were "not acceptable as a form of ID" so they could not serve her daughter. He apologised for the embarrassment caused, but stressed it was a strict policy.
His response said: "I’m sorry we were unable to serve your daughter alcohol on her recent visit, the law you state for 16-17 year olds to drink is also at management discretion and it is company policy across the 100s of sites we run that we do not serve alcohol to anyone under 18.
"All our staff are trained in this and our due diligence is necessary to prevent underage drinking; to this end like many places we operate a Challenge 21 policy where if you are lucky enough to look under 21 we ask you for ID; this is common practise across the majority of licensed premises not just ourselves.
"Photos of IDs are not acceptable as a form of ID which is why we were unable to serve you. We have a strict policy and training in place which I need my team to follow, the same way they follow allergy training or any other health and safety matter.
"I’m sorry if it caused embarrassment to your daughter but please ensure correct Identification is carried for any future visits here or somewhere else to avoid disappointment.
"Please contact me if you would like to discuss the matter further at enquiry@thelytteltonarms.co.uk as I would like to invite your back and will happily get you a bottle of wine for the table if ID is provided."
The Lyttelton Arms, off Bromsgrove Road, has 1,481 reviews on Tripadvisor - of which 788 are rated as 'excellent' or 'very good'.
