Mother’s shock after pub she’d visited for eight years cancelled her Sunday meal booking – ‘because there were too many children in the group’. Do YOU think she was treated fairly?

A mother has spoken of her anger after a pub accepted her booking for a Sunday meal but then canceled it because there were “too many children” in her group.

Natalie Bean told MailOnline she was surprised when the owner of The Señorío Pub in East Dulwich, which describes itself as child-friendly, called her to say her booking had been canceled because there were “more children than adults”.

Natalie, who lives in East Dulwich, told MailOnline the booking was for herself, her husband and their children (aged 11 months and four years), plus her sister-in-law and her children (aged three, six and eight).

She said: ‘We have been going to The Lordship for the last eight years and it was by far our favorite pub. I used to tell other families to go there because the staff were so friendly to our kids and always made us feel so welcome.

‘As always, I booked a table through OpenTable, but this time, as my sister-in-law and her three children would be joining us, I decided to ask for a large square table in the corner, so that my stroller (for my 11-month-old son) ) would be out of your way.

“Honestly, I didn’t think about it, since we have been traveling for so long and have experienced nothing but a feeling of warmth and welcome.”

But then their customer service experience turned sour.

And he continued: ‘The owner called me on my mobile to tell me that he was going to cancel my reservation. I asked him why and he said, “There must be more adults than children on the reservation.” He then proceeded to tell me about other kid friendly places in Dulwich.

‘I responded by saying that he always sent families his way… To be honest I was a little surprised as I had never experienced this type of behavior there and certainly never had a restaurant or pub canceled my booking.

“When my husband called to check that there was no way to keep the reservation, the owner was unapologetic and my husband said he thought it was a very discriminatory policy, especially in a family-friendly place like Dulwich.”

Natalie added: “I completely understand child-free establishments, it’s absolutely fine that people want child-free spaces, but this policy just seems discriminatory to certain families.”

Natalie described her experience on the East Dulwich Mums Facebook forum, and her post attracted more than 80 comments.

Many were sympathetic, with one user reassuring Natalie that she “made some really valid points” and adding that her experience sounded “horrible.”

Another tried to see the situation from the pub’s point of view, writing: ‘Maybe they’ve had complaints from other regulars not accepting their children? Not everyone wants a pub full of children. I’m sure your children are very well behaved, but I’ve experienced the complete opposite in Dulwich and it’s a nightmare. Personally, I avoid drinking in Dulwich because it’s full of kids.’

In their Twitter profile, The Lordship Pub describes itself as “an independently owned gastro pub” where “dogs, children and well-behaved adults are welcome.” Although they do have a disclaimer on their website explaining that they do not accept online reservations for parties with children.

It says: ‘Please note that we do not accept online bookings for bookings with babies, toddlers and young children. Please email info@thelordshippub.co.uk with your requirements and we will be in touch.

Natalie revealed that she was not aware of this policy.

He added: “They seem to be suitable for children, but only in their terms regarding how many there are.” If you do not fit (your) idea of ​​family, your reservation will be cancelled. It doesn’t matter how loyal you have been over the years.

MailOnline Travel contacted The Lordship Pub for comment but did not receive a response.