'It only takes one child to kick off and that spoils it for everybody': Landlord defends banning children from his pub after policy sparked furious debate - as he says he wants his customers to be able to 'sit and relax'

A landlord has defended his policy banning children from his pub - saying it only takes 'one child to kick off and it spoils it for everybody'. 

David Worcester, who owns The Lower Red Lion in St Albans, Hertfordshire, came under fire for his 'dog-friendly, child-free' sign that went viral on social media. 

But Mr Worcester has hit back at critics - saying he has been flooded with messages of support from the local community and across the world. 

In an interview with BBC Three Counties Radio, he said that he had 'no issue' with children in pubs but just 'didn't want them in mine' and compared the situation to how he also did not want a 'pool table'. 

He said: 'I just want to create an environment where my customers can sit and relax, it only takes one child to kick off and that spoils it for absolutely everybody.

'We've got upwards of 40 pubs in St Albans, all of which are child-friendly, most are dog-friendly, I believe I'm the only one in the area that isn't.' 

The sign outside The Lower Red Lion pub went viral last week after a social media user innocently posted a picture of himself with the sign, captioned 'found my new local'. 

Users on X, formerly Twitter, reacted with fury to the post- which was seen by more than 75 million people - with one person comparing the ban on children to 'pro-extinction [of the human race] culture'.

Another asked 'why it has become socially acceptable to hate children?' while others supported the boozer's stance and called for more child-free and dog friendly venues. 

But Mr Worcester hit back at the comments on social media. He said: 'The reaction from the local community has been very positive, the reaction from everywhere further afield has been nothing but positive.

'I'm getting emails from Australia, an email from Bristol. Everything is positive – the only negativity was on the initial Twitter [post].' 

He explained that most of the negative comments had come from abroad and in particular the US. 

And locals told MailOnline last week that they support the 'lovely' pub's strategy.

One resident, who lives only a few doors down from the pub and asked not to be named, said 'a pub is not a place for children'.

'I think it is a great sign. I don't see a problem with it. I can't think of another pub that is dog friendly and child-free,' he said.

'I don't have a problem with dogs in pubs. If dogs are being a problem, they can easily be brought under control. A pub is not a place for children.'

He added: 'It is an adult environment. It is because parents can't find childcare arrangements that they bring their kids to the pub usually.

'The kids don't want to be in pubs so they misbehave. And if they do misbehave, it is because they have been poorly brought up anyway, that is why their parents have brought them to a pub.

'There is absolutely no shortage of pubs in St Albans for people to go to with children. As far as I'm aware this is the only one which is dog friendly and child-free.'

Jacqui Hall, 60, who was visiting St Albans from Harpenden with her daughter Dani and her granddaughter, questioned if parents should be bringing their children to pubs.

She said: 'If it's a pub, should parents be bringing in children anyway?'

Dani said St Albans had a lot of young families and some cafes around the area struggle for space due to all the prams.

Jacqui said: 'Some people want a child-free period. There is a minority of people who want their time on holiday to be quiet time.'

Dani added she would consider bringing her child to a pub but only if it had a garden where they would be free to run around.

Students Samuel Mackinnon, 22, and brother Oliver, 19, both support the sign.

The pair grew up in St Albans with their parents but have now moved away for university.

Oliver said: 'There are enough places in St Albans where people can go for a drink.

'If that was the only place where people could go for a drink, I would definitely understand it.'

Samuel said: 'I think dogs are easier to control than kids. I think it is more acceptable for a dog causing a riot, barking and going crazy to be taken outside by the owner, rather than a child.'