Pub forced to shut lashes out at 'keyboard warriors' and Covid rule-breakers

Andy Wells
The Noah's posted a note on the door announcing their closure just weeks after they opened up again. (Reach)
The Noah's posted a note on the door announcing their closure just weeks after they opened up again. (Reach) (Reach)

A pub that recently reopened following months of lockdown has closed its doors once again – and the owners have placed the blame on its own customers.

The Noah's, in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, closed on Friday just weeks after opening its outdoor area as coronavirus restrictions eased.

But at least one person has complained on social media about the running of the venue, with one customer reporting a “massive fight” breaking out over the previous weekend.

Now the venue has posted a note to the front door of the pub, announcing the closure and lashing out at the “keyboard warriors” they say forced it to make the decision.

The Noah's pub in Hartshill closed just week's after lockdown relaxations allowed it to open. (Reach)
The Noah's pub in Hartshill closed just week's after lockdown relaxations allowed it to open. (Reach) (Reach)
People sit at outside tables to eat and drink at re-opened bars and restaurants, in the street in the Soho area of London, on April 16, 2021 following step two of the government's roadmap out of England's third national lockdown. - Britons on Apri l12 toasted a significant easing of coronavirus restrictions, with early morning pints -- and much-needed haircuts -- as the country took a tentative step towards the resumption of normal life. Businesses including non-essential retail, gyms, salons and outdoor hospitality were all able to open for the first time in months in the second step of the government's roadmap out of lockdown. (Photo by Niklas HALLE'N / AFP) (Photo by NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP via Getty Images)
Pubs across England recently reopened their outdoor areas after months of lockdown restrictions eased. (Getty) (NIKLAS HALLE'N via Getty Images)

The note read: "Sorry, we are closed until further notice... bye, for now. We apologise for any inconvenience.

"We would like to (sarcastically) thank all the 'd***heads' that did not follow the rules and the keyboard warriors writing nonsense on social media.

Watch: Pubs and hairdressers open as lockdown restrictions ease

“Your actions have cost the jobs of 15 people and closed a well-established local business.”

The note ended by thanking the “loyal, respectful customers”, before the pub vowed: “We will be back.”

The Noah's – which has a licence until midnight – had already decided to close at 10pm each night following its reopening.

However, on one occasion it shut even earlier at 8pm because customers were not abiding to the rules.

In response to one social media user who questioned the decision to close, the venue said that they were following government guidelines but customers were not respecting the rules.

The note from the The Noah's blamed customers not following the rules for the closure. (Reach)
The note from the The Noah's blamed customers not following the rules for the closure. (Reach) (Reach)

They wrote: "Have you ever tried telling your kids to stay seated? Imagine telling 100 kids to stay seated! It’s very similar with people who enjoy going out drinking with friends – they have been sat down for five months waiting to get back into the pub.

"All our staff are here to help our customers follow the guidelines – but not everybody listens.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: A sign outside a pub near Covent Garden which reads
A sign outside a pub near Covent Garden announcing its reopening following months of lockdown. (Getty) (Rob Pinney via Getty Images)

“They think it’s OK to not wear a mask inside, don’t understand why more than six people on a table is an issue, and some even think they are exempt due to medical issues (yet don’t carry an inhaler). Anyone not adhering to our rules is not served and asked to leave.

They added: "We didn’t have to open. It is frustrating that people forget that times have changed. Therefore you can’t expect all customers to correspond in the correct way.”

Yahoo News UK has contacted The Noah’s for any further comment.

Watch: How England will leave lockdown

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