The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) group has said the Essex pub at the centre of controversy over a golliwog display should not be considered “for future awards or inclusion in our Good Beer Guide” while the dolls remain on show.
It comes after police seized several of the soft toys from the White Hart Inn in Grays on April 4, as part of an investigation into an allegation of hate crime reported on February 24.
The pub owner Benice Ryley said she has displayed the collection of around 30 dolls, donated by her late aunt and customers, in the pub for nearly 10 years.
A statement by the campaign group said it “believes pubs should be welcoming and inclusive places and it’s baffling that any pub would choose to discriminate against customers or potential customers by continuing to display offensive material”.,
CAMRA believes pubs should be welcoming and inclusive places and it's baffling that any pub would choose to discriminate against customers or potential customers by continuing to display offensive material.
— CAMRA (@CAMRA_Official) April 12, 2023
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It added: “We have had clear national guidelines in place since 2018 that no pub should be considered for an award if it displays offensive or discriminatory material on the premises, or on social media associated with the pub.
“CAMRA has more than 200 branches, all of which make independent decisions about making numerous awards to pubs and breweries throughout the year.
“We are currently discussing why this guidance was seemingly ignored by our South West Essex branch & instructing them not to consider the White Hart, Grays, Essex, for future awards, or inclusion in our Good Beer Guide, while these discriminatory dolls continue to be on display.”
Mrs Ryley said she does not understand how people could be offended by the dolls.
“No, I don’t know how they can find it offensive,” she said.
“If they don’t like it, they don’t have to come through the door.”
The couple have denied being racist.
No arrests have been made, with Mrs Ryley’s husband Chris set to be questioned when he returns from abroad in May.
