Mum was left shocked after the pub she had visited for eight years canceled her booking for a Sunday meal – ‘because there were too many children in the group’. Do you think she was treated fairly?

A mother has expressed her anger after a pub accepted her booking for a Sunday meal but then canceled it because her group included ‘too many children’.

Natalie Bean told MailOnline she was shocked when the owner of The Lordship Pub in East Dulwich, which describes itself as child-friendly, called her to say her booking had been canceled because there were ‘more children on it than adults’.

Natalie, who lives in East Dulwich, told MailOnline that 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 eight years and it was by far our favorite pub. I told other families to go there because the staff were so friendly to our children and always made us feel very welcome.

‘Normally I would reserve a table through OpenTable, but this time, as my sister-in-law and her three children were joining me, I decided to ask for a large square table in the corner so that my buggy (for my 11 month old) would be far out of reach.

‘I honestly didn’t notice it, because we have been on the road for so long and have only experienced a feeling of warmth and welcome.’

But then her customer service experience turned sour.

She continued: ‘The owner called me on my mobile to tell me he was canceling my booking. I asked why and he said, “There must be more adults than children on the booking.” He then told me about other child friendly places in Dulwich.

‘I responded by saying that I always send families his way… I was honestly a bit shocked as I have never experienced this kind of behavior there and I have certainly never had a restaurant or pub take my booking cancelled.

‘When my husband called to check we couldn’t possibly keep the booking, the owner was unapologetic about it and my husband said he thought it was a very discriminatory policy, especially in a family home like Dulwich.’

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 was ‘making really valid points’, adding that her experience sounded ‘terrible’. Above – stock image

Natalie added: “I completely understand that there are child-free establishments. It’s absolutely fine if people want child-free spaces, but this policy just feels discriminatory for 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 was ‘making really valid points’, adding that her experience sounded ‘terrible’.

Another tried to look at the situation from the pub’s perspective, writing: ‘Maybe they’ve had complaints from other patrons not taking their kids? Not everyone wants a bar full of children. I’m sure your children are very well behaved, but I’ve had the opposite experience in Dulwich, and it’s a nightmare. Personally I avoid drinking in Dulwich as it’s full of kids everywhere.’

Up Twitter profileThe Lordship Pub describes itself as ‘an independent gastro pub’ serving ‘dogs, children and well-behaved adults [are] welcome’. Although it has a disclaimer on its website explaining that it does not accept online bookings for parties with children.

It reads: ‘Please note we do not accept online bookings for reservations with infants, toddlers and young children. Please email info@thelordshippub.co.uk with your requirements and we will get back to you.’

Natalie revealed that she was not aware of this policy.

She added: ‘It seems they are child friendly to get sized but only on their terms regarding how many there are. If you don’t fit in [their] idea of ​​a family, your booking will be cancelled. No matter how loyal you have been over the years.”

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