A GROUP of drinkers, including a pensioner, have been barred from a town centre pub after a dispute about “supping up time”.

The eight men, aged from 21 to 65, regularly enjoyed a late-night pint or two at the Sir Henry Tate, a JD Wetherspoon pub overlooking Chorley’s Flat Iron market square.

However a disagreement with management over drinking up time and the use of the toilet led to them being barred entry on Sunday, January 20.

Their exclusion was then confirmed in a letter from JD Wetherspoon’s customer service team saying they were no longer welcome.

Tommy Shorrock, 64, of Arley Street, Chorley said he was “upset and disappointed” at the way the group had been treated.

He said: “The disagreement was over several Sunday evenings. Last orders at the Sir Henry Tate are at midnight but we believe an insufficient and unreasonable timescale was imposed upon us to enjoy our final drink.

“The manageress asked for our glasses at 12.10am and demanded we leave the premises at 12.20am.

“Furthermore the use of the toilet, especially for a disabled person in our group, was denied prior to leaving. We’re just a typical group of pubgoers asking to be able to finish off our drinks without rushing.”

Mr Shorrock added that during a phone call with the pub’s customer services department he was told a reasonable drinking up time was 30 to 40 minutes.

He later sent a letter of complaint.

He added: “In my opinion Wetherspoons has a good reputation but the reaction of the staff left us quite upset and this turned to astonishment when we were barred entry.”

The letter of reply from JD Wetherspoon customer services to Mr Shorrock said: “Following on from your behaviour on your visit to the pub, we have been advised by the manager that they do not wish you to return to the pub.

“The manager is responsible for the pub and its licence and it is not a requirement that a reason for barring you from the premises is provided.”

Company spokesman Eddie Gershon added that JD Wetherspoon fully supported the actions of the manager.