Wetherspoon fury as pub covered in poppies after war veterans barred

A JD Wetherspoon pub has been plastered in poppies by furious protesters after military veterans were barred from entering for wearing the Remembrance symbol. Demonstrators descended on the Star in Gosport, Hampshire, after a group of patrons — including veterans wearing poppies — were turned away at the door by security staff who claimed the flower violated a “blanket ban” on political symbols. Video footage shared on social media showed two demonstrators in hoodies clambering onto outdoor tables to cover the pub’s exterior frontage and overhead signage with red poppy stickers. The viral clip was posted alongside the warning: “It looks like the Gosport Wetherspoons are getting a taste of their own medicine.”

The confrontation unfolded on Sunday afternoon (October 25) when Councillor George Madgwick, leader of the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, visited the venue for a quiet drink with colleagues and local veterans following a day of campaigning. Mr Madgwick slammed the decision as “disgusting and shameful”, insisting the group had dressed in plain, ordinary clothes with no political rosettes, party branding or flags.

He said: “When we reached the door, security told us we couldn’t come in wearing poppies and asked us to remove them. The explanation was that it was company policy.” Veteran Scott Schillemore, who was among those turned away, said he was left completely “gobsmacked” by the refusal.

Mobile phone footage captured a member of staff telling the customers: “Anything that could be perceived as political, it’s a no. It’s blanket. That group down there, when they come down if they’ve got pride flag badges, we will also be turning those away. It is blanket across the board.

“Today it is blanket. Anyone wearing anything that could be perceived — it is no. When they come down with badges, they will also be turned away. It’s fair for everybody, it’s blanket. Full stop.”

Mr Madgwick said the venue’s manager backed the decision, comparing the poppy to an ideological symbol: “The manager said they would take the same view if someone had a pride flag. I think that’s a completely different thing and an outrageous comparison to make.”

“The poppy shouldn’t be political. Veterans and people who remember them come from every political persuasion, party and belief,” Mr Madgwick continued. “It represents remembrance and respect for those who died serving our country and the Commonwealth. It is just shameful really that this has happened.”

The tense showdown occurred as Gosport hosted an anti-immigration march alongside a counter-protest that took place roughly half a mile away. Police confirmed between 500 and 550 people attended the demonstrations, which passed off peacefully with no arrests.

JD Wetherspoon strongly denied having an official ban on poppies, maintaining the decision was made locally in response to heightened tensions and demonstrations in the area. A spokesperson for JD Wetherspoon said: “There is no ban on poppies in Wetherspoon pubs.”

The chain stressed that it is a long-time partner of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, raising approximately £60,000 annually across its branches and noted that poppies were actively being sold inside the Star. The pub was ultimately ordered to close its doors at 5pm on police advice before reopening the following morning, with the chain issuing an apology to regulars disrupted by the chaos.

According to official guidance from the Royal British Legion, the poppy carries “no political or religious meaning” and stands purely as a symbol of remembrance, sacrifice and hope for peace.