A 61-year-old man who was banned from his local Wetherspoons has taken matters into his own hands and started protesting over his “unjust” exclusion.
Brian Gorman, who describes himself as a “night owl”, used to visit The Square Bottle in Chester up to three times a week before he was told he was no longer welcome.
On January 11, while enjoying a bout of late-night drinking, a dispute broke out over last orders.
Gorman claims that staff typically call time at 12am on weekdays and 1am on Saturdays, and that customers are told that they then have a further 20 minutes to finish their beverages.
Gorman has started protesting over his 'unjust' exclusion
Brian Gorman
However, Gorman alleges that on the night in question, a staff member told punters to leave at 1.15am, five minutes earlier than normal.
The 61-year-old claims he “politely” challenged the timing to which the door staff responded in an “aggressive” manner.
Manchester Evening News reports that Gorman said: “I heard him say at one point 'I am going to chuck you out' and I was just standing there kind of bewildered and he left the premises, he didn't come over, he didn't talk to me, he just left the premises.
“The next thing I know there was a doorman from across the road who came over and I happened to know this guy and he said 'everything alright Brian?' and I said 'yeah I don't know what this guy's problem is'. He laughed, we all laughed, and I left'.”
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Wetherspoons states was also enforced due to the punter filming staff without their permission
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Following the January 11 incident, Gorman returned to the pub every evening with no issue. However, four days later, he was denied entry when he tried to enter the premises.
Gorman was “bewildered” by the ban, which Wetherspoons states was also enforced due to the punter filming staff without their permission.
He has now decided to protest outside the boozer stating that he “will not back down”.
The 61-year-old has also created a ‘Justice for Brian Gorman’ Facebook page, delivered hand-written letters to the pub, and made homemade banners to demonstrate his “innocence”.
When asked if he regrets his behaviour on January 11, he said: “I do not regret a single thing because I did absolutely nothing wrong.
Wetherspoons said Gorman's behaviour was 'unacceptable'
PA“I think it is ridiculous for someone who is a regular customer who gets on very well with the staff and very well with the other customers to bar them for a two-minute conversation I had with a very irate and very unprofessional doorman of which I stood very still and stayed very calm.
“I will not back down.”
In a statement, Wetherspoons said: “Mr Gorman has been refused entry because, on 11th January, he was reluctant to finish his drink in the time requested when the pub was closing.
“Unfortunately, there was a further incident when Mr Gorman visited the pub again on 15th January.
“His behaviour was felt to be unacceptable and included filming employees without their agreement. The company's position has been explained to Mr Gorman.
“Wetherspoon operates a zero tolerance approach to any untoward behaviour to its employees.”
