Pub bans flat caps over security risk

London, June 22 : Club restrictions certainly went to head, when an 81-year-old man was ordered to remove his flat cap in a pub, just because it posed a security risk.

Harvey Talbot had to remove his hat off at his local pub, Yates's in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs, where he has been a regular for 60 years.

Harvey, who has mobility problems and lives alone, was told by staff to remove his cap after another drinker was told to remove a baseball cap in line with pub policy.

"It's an ordinary flat cap that people used to go to work in. It wasn't hiding my face. The man said they had to stop people wearing baseball caps and that it was to prevent yobs causing trouble as they can see their faces. I was embarrassed and fuming but couldn't do anything about it," The Sun quoted Talbot, as saying.

In fact, this ruling was even condemned by fellow customers.

Ralph Burnley, 54, said: "This chap was immaculately dressed in a suit and tie and was sober. I said: 'What do you expect him to do? Raid the pork scratchings?'. He was humiliated so I told staff to apologise but they said it's policy."

However, a spokesman for Yates's said that the pub worked on police advice thus it was required that CCTV could identify troublemakers.

On the other hand, Inspector Steve Thirsk said that while they did advise the pub on the issue, but the dress code is certainly a matter of owners' discretion.

ANI