Pub forced to end decade long ‘Ladies Night’ after man complained

The pub were forced to end Ladies Night after receiving a complaint (Image: Simon Skinner)A pub has been forced to axe a Ladies’ Night that has been running for more than a decade after a man complained of discrimination. Ladies’ Night had been held on Monday since the pub opened 12 years ago and offered women 50 percent off their food bill.Speaking to Express.co.uk, Simon Skinner, owner of the pub, said it was a “great shame” but that the pub was left with no other option following the complaint. Mr Skinner said: “Ladies’ night has been held since I opened my first restaurant in 1996. I have held it for 26 years in total and it has been held for 12 years at this pub. We normally serve around 150 people every Monday and men were still welcome, but women would receive 50 percent off their food bill.”It gave friends the chance to get together and have a catch-up and proved really popular in the area. Some of the women that were regulars are really sad that it won’t be going on anymore. “The general manager called me last Monday to let me know a man was complaining that he wasn’t receiving 50 percent off his food bill while women in the pub were. He left and said he was going to complain about discrimination and the next morning, I realised it could get out of hand very quickly so we made the decision to announce that Ladies’ Night had to come to an end.” The pub faced a mixed response to their announcement (Image: Simon Skinner)Writing on their Facebook page, the pub announced it was an “end of an era” as they said they always knew it was a “bit iffy” offering women the discount and not men. The full post read: “We have been doing Ladies’ Night for the past twelve years, with 50 percent off food for all you lovely ladies. We are fully booked every week, often weeks ahead, and it is used as a great catch-up by many women in the local area.”We always knew that it was a bit iffy as we were in effect discriminating against men, but in a world that is clearly weighted against women, it was our small way of righting the balance. Sadly, following a complaint from a man who visited us on Monday night, we will no longer be able to continue with this offer in its present form, after the end of October.”We would like to thank you all for your great support over the years and please do watch out for an announcement on how we can continue some kind of ladies’ night in the future!”READ MORE: Prince Harry ‘clearly does not want to turn his back’ on UK The pub wanted to offer women a ‘special night’ (Image: Simon Skinner) Simon Skinner said it was a ‘shame’ it had to come to an end (Image: Simon Skinner)The comment section of the post was filled with mixed responses, with some suggesting the pub “rename it” and offer “everyone a discount”. Another said “there’s always one that has to spoil it” while another said “he has a fair point…that is discrimination”. One man wrote: “As a man put ladies’ night back on the menu!! Everyone deserves a bit of happiness and companionship. Honestly, what is wrong with people!”But a woman supported Ladies’ Night coming to an end, writing: “Why would a group of male friends meeting for a catch-up have to pay more? Unfortunately, male suicide is high, it is not just women who need to talk with friends. Making male friendships seem less important is terrible.”DON’T MISS:Biden sends precision nuclear weapons to Europe [INSIGHT]Katy Perry breaks silence on ‘eye glitch’ moment that disturbed fans [PICTURES]Family left devastated after ‘caring’ mum dies after missed diagnosis [COMMENT] The new night will offer both men and women 25 per cent off their food bill (Image: Simon Skinner)The pub has now announced a new night that will be held every Monday that offers both men and women 25 percent off their food bill, called The Lingfield Association for Dining In an Equal ops Setting – or Ladies Night for short. Mr Skinner added: “In a world weighted against women, we thought offering Ladies’ Night was just something extra for them. My wife carried my children and gave up smoking and drinking for five years. For that alone, women deserve a special night. “We have had a lot of food feedback and I think the new night will still attract a lot of women but men can also receive a discount now.”The new name has been a hit with customers and we are hoping to see some of the same faces. 80 percent of staff who work at the pub are women so it’s important for us to show we are progressive and offer this.”