The Bowler's Arms plans to launch new food promotion after ladies night cancellation

A Newbury publican has revealed plans to re-launch some sort of Wednesday night food promotion after he had to stop the pub's half price ladies nights.

Richard Hayman, general manager at The Bowler’s Arms in Wash Common, stopped the female-orientated promotion after he was informed he might be breaking the law by running it.

Regular customers left comments of support on a Facebook post from the pub after it announced that its ladies nights would no longer take place midweek.

The post said: “It is with regret that we will no longer be offering half price to ladies on a Wednesday night.

“It appears it is discriminating towards men and we apologise for any upset we may have caused.

“We had no intention of the breaking the law or upsetting anyone.”

Many customers were amazed that ladies night could be seen as an offensive offering.

Clare Carter commented: “I don’t know if to laugh or cry at this! What’s going on with the world?

“I’ll still be coming along for the curry!”

Tina Hawkins commented: “It won't stop me and my friend from coming up.

“We've been meeting on Wednesday evenings for more than 10 years and the half price was a bonus for us.

“You're a great host Richard, keep doing what you do.”

Mr Hayman discovered the promotion, which has been going since January, may have been legally dubious after someone commented on another Facebook post saying it could be seen as illegal discriminatory behaviour outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

The publican is now planning to launch a more inclusive Wednesday night food promotion in the near future.

“We’ll bring it back bigger and better,” Mr Hayman said.

He was also very heartened to see the outpouring of support on social media after the cancellation announcement.

Mr Hayman had previously put on successful ladies nights for 14 years when he ran The Madagascan Gin Palace in Newbury town centre before he took over The Bowler's Arms in September 2013.