Three Horseshoes, Burbage

Having read the previous reviews on this pub, my partner and I drove a considerable way to sample its reputable food and hospitality. I am sad to say that we were refused service owing to the fact we had our 13 month old baby with us. Our intention was to drive to a nice family friendly country pub which the Three Horseshoes come across as being when you read the reviews however it clearly is not family orientated at all.

We were in my opinion rudely turned away as my daughter would apparently "upset the locals and regulars"! I have never ever felt so humiliated standing in a tiny establishment in front of a full table of diners, being thrown out on our ear by a landlord who clearly has no family values.

For one, when we first went into the pub I went to the toilet and left my partner and
daughter stood outside of the lounge. My daughter could clearly be heard chatting away to herself so to avoid any awkwardness the landlord could and should have quietly come outside and explained why he did not feel it was appropriate for my baby to be on the premises. Instead, he made us wait five minutes before even speaking to us as he was serving and it was only after being told that they do not have a highchair by the cook and once we were discussing whether to bring in the pushchair or feed her on our laps, the landlord finally engaged us. He went on to explain that at this time of night (7:08pm) he could not allow us to bring a baby into the pub as he had to consider his regulars and suggested we tried at the White Hart as that was more the type of pub suited to us.

I am outraged in the way we were treated. Whilst it is at the discretion of the landlord to choose who he serves I don't believe he has any reason to be rude or inconsiderate and he definitely could have handled the situation better.

I certainly will not be recommending this establishment to anyone least of all those many millions of families who have small children.

In hindsight I think the landlord whould clearly display the fact he does not qish to serve those with children to avoid any embarrassment. Perhaps he could add it to the sign outside which bluntly instructs you to switch off all mobiles!

18 Jul 2010 11:54