Woman in Union Flag dress turned away from Wetherspoons over 'tensions' concerns

A woman donning a Union Flag dress was refused entry to a Wetherspoons pub amid a anti-illegal immigration protest in Nottinghamshire.

Tanya Ostolski, 54, walked through the throng of protesters saying she had been denied service at her local pub, The Picture House in Sutton-in-Ashfield. A spokesperson for Wetherspoon confirmed that the pub's manager had requested patrons not to enter with flags or placards, stating it was "important not to increase tensions". The move sparked outrage among some of the protesters,who confronted the bouncers when they were denied access to their local on Friday night, July 25.

After approximately two hours of protesting around the town centre from about 4.30pm, the crowds reconvened where they started, just 50 metres away from the pub. By around 7pm, most people had left the area near the venue. Tanya says she was initially turned away because she had a St George's cross flag, but even after stowing it in her bag, she was still not allowed in, reports Nottinghamshire Live.

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She said: "I go in there all the time and they refused entry. They didn't let me in with my flag (separate from the dress), the flag is the English flag, so why shouldn't I be allowed to have an English flag? It's our flag, it's our nation's flag. I wasn't being aggressive or anything I didn't get lairy or anything. I put the flag back in my bag, and they said I can't come in because of my dress.

"They kept refusing me. I'm probably going to get barred now. They just said Tanya, you're not coming in. I feel absolutely disgusted, why should I be refused entry for wearing a dress or a flag?".

Spoons' "no-flags" policy is widely recognised. The chain faced criticism during the 2018 World Cup when its numerous outlets were told not to display England flags bearing the St George's Cross, or any other nation's colours, throughout the tournament. Rather than flags, the pubs were adorned with bunting representing all 32 participating countries.

But during the men's Euro 2024 championship, the well-known pub chain overturned its rule against displaying England flags at its chains for this summer's European tournament. Last June, Wetherspoon confirmed that individual pubs could choose to show flags if they wished to mark the sporting occasion.

Addressing today's incident in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Wetherspoons spokesperson Eddie Gershon said: "Pub managers have a duty under the licensing laws, and as a matter of common sense, to judge every situation on its particular circumstances. In this case, the pub manager felt that it was important not to increase tensions. Therefore, on this occasion the manager asked customers not to enter with flags or any placards."

The incident occurred during an anti-immigration demonstration in Sutton-in-Ashfield. Furious protesters assembled in the town following social media posts by MP Lee Anderson.

Following the posts on Mr Anderson's X and Facebook pages, protesters were prompted to assemble in the town centre. A counter-protest was also organised. The mood in the town was extremely tense as people chanted "stop the boats".