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A village pub owner has been forced to cancel his 12-year run of discounted Ladies’ Nights — after one disgruntled man said it was ‘discrimination’.
Owner Simon Skinner has called time on the popular 50 per cent food discounts that female customers were eligible for on Monday nights at his pub The Star Inn in Lingfield, Surrey.
The beloved tradition, that started in 2010, will be receiving its last orders at the end of October because one out-of-town punter claimed that it was ‘discrimination’.
Under the Equality Act 2010, cases of sex discrimination, which include providing different goods and services to men and women because of their sex, can be pursued in the civil courts when a claim is brought forward.
The country pub said on its Facebook page that the night, popular with both men and women, was introduced as a way to ‘right the balance’ when it came to gender inequality.
Regulars expressed their shock and outrage, branding the complaint ‘ridiculous’ and that the ‘world had gone mad’.
Owner Simon Skinner (pictured) has called time on the pub’s 12-year run of discounted Ladies’ Nights — after one disgruntled man said it was ‘discrimination’
Other followers suggested ways to work around the man’s complaint, with some proposing a ‘Men’s Night’ on alternative weeks.
The 57-year-old owner said the complaint was the first time someone had taken issue with Ladies’ Night in his 12 years of running the Star Inn — and in his 26 years in the business offering this deal.
Mr Skinner, from Lindfield, West Sussex, said: ‘The guy who complained on Monday night refused to pay full price.
‘He was from out of town and was staying in our hotel, we’re a pub with rooms.
‘At first he was doing it in a jokey way, then he turned serious. I thought “this could go further and create a lot of bad press”.
‘This is the first time I’ve had a complaint. We’d get men who would joke “when you going to do a lads’ night?”
‘But they don’t really mean it seriously. This is the first time in 12 years that somebody has seriously said “this is discrimination, this has to stop”.
‘This man was threatening to take it further. A lot of Facebook commenters saw the story as “What? Just one complaint from one man?”
‘But it’s not as simple as that, it is a serious complaint and you have to respond to it.’
Mr Skinner has hosted Ladies’ Nights at his previous establishments since the mid-1990s and had previously found it was positively received by both men and women.
‘I bought my first restaurant in 1996 and I started doing Ladies Night there and had a successful eight years there, Ladies’ Night was always great,’ he said.
‘I always knew deep down it was a bit iffy, but it was always done with the best of intentions.
‘It was about giving back to women, who quite often don’t get a good deal.
‘In total, I’ve been doing this offer for 26 years. We’ve had a really good run.
The 57-year-old owner posted the announcement on the pub’s Facebook page with the above image
‘After 26 years, I’ve spoken to a lot of people about this night. Overwhelmingly, both men and women are very happy with this offer.
‘Around 20 per cent of the people showing up on the Monday night will be men bringing their partners out for what is in effect a cheaper date.’
Mr Skinner claims that Ladies’ Night works because women are ‘more conversational’ than men.
He said: ‘I think men deep down know that women love having that space where they can chat with friends.
‘When the women come on Monday night, they’ll sit and talk about every aspect of their lives for two hours.
‘That just doesn’t happen with men. It’s mostly “you alright?”, “yeah, you?”, “You watch the game?”
The Star Inn’s beloved tradition, which sees women given 50 per cent off their meal on a Monday, will be receiving its last orders after October
‘Women have that need to communicate, much more than men do.
‘I just think it gives women something that is special for them — and it’s a great opportunity to catch up with friends.
‘Ladies’ Night works really well — the conversation flows.
‘My wife had a friend over the other day to look at something and they ended up talking for two hours.
‘I just don’t think men have that much to say to each other. I know that is sexist.
‘A lot of men do have a lot to talk about, I know that me and my friends can talk, but women can have these conversations with acquaintances and work colleagues.
‘Unless men are really close, I don’t think they have that same connection.’
Monday nights have been popular at the Star Inn for years, with spaces filling up weeks in advance.
Social media users flooded the comments section of the pub’s Facebook post
Mr Skinner said: ‘Ladies’ Night will be fully booked two or three weeks in advance.
‘We seat about 120 inside the pub and another 250 in the garden in the summer.
‘From a business point of view, Ladies’ Night has some perks.
‘With 50 per cent off on food, you don’t make a lot of money, but you do make money off drinks.
‘It’s a great kickstart to the week and it’s great PR as well, because women will tell their friends about it.
‘If you get them in on a Monday night, they’ll probably come in later in the week with their family or partners.’
Now Mr Skinner is considering ideas on how to keep the spirit of Ladies’ Night alive.
‘I’m weighing up a few options going forward,’ he said.
‘Nothing is 100 per cent. But the logical conclusion — and I’ve not announced this on Facebook yet — is that we’ll still keep calling it Ladies’ Night, but do 25 per cent off for ladies and 25 per cent off for men.
‘Ladies won’t benefit any more than men, it’ll just be a name.
‘That way, it keeps its identity but it’ll be fairer for everyone.’
Social media users flooded the comments section of the pub’s post on Facebook.
One user wrote: ‘I think you should continue ladies’ night but also a night specifically for the boys. Then they can’t complain. Then no one misses out.’
Another commented: ‘And men like him are the reason why us ladies love getting together on a Monday night!! Maybe keep it but change its name.’
One wrote: ‘I love your pub and good on you for doing ladies’ night for 12 years, the fact it was a man that has put an end to it! Oh the irony.’
One husband commented: ‘I have been down on a Monday night with my wife.
‘I paid full price for my meal and never had a problem with that.
‘This village is turning into one sad place. Seems some people get off about moaning for moaning sake.
‘All I can say is keep going with it. I’m sure that 99.9 per cent of men won’t have a problem with it.’
Others suggested ways that the Star could accommodate all customers.
One wrote: ‘Why not rename it and give everyone 25 per cent off food. In a world where we want equality we need to remember that both men and women need support from friends and groups.
‘Both men and women are finding times hard mentally and financially. It doesn’t need to stop, it can become all inclusive.’
Some commenters sided with the male complainant and questioned whether it was fair to exclude blokes from discounts on food.
One wrote: ‘He has a fair point. Why would a group of male friends meeting for a catch up have to pay more? That is discrimination.
‘Unfortunately male suicide is high, it’s not just women who need to talk with friends. Making male friendships seem less important is terrible.’
Another remarked: ‘Reading the comments makes me laugh… imagine if it was a man’s night… the world would go mad and instantly condemn the owners for discrimination. FYI, it doesn’t bother me… just had to comment.’
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