Wetherspoon pub under fire after it opens mother and toddler group in bar
outrageous, what ever next 
A town pub has come under fire after launching a 'highly inappropriate' baby and toddler group - in the bar.
Young children are allowed to play at the Kings Fee pub in Hereford - part of the JD Wetherspoon chain - just feet away from drinkers.
A corner of the pub is blocked off with bar stools and tables to allow the babies to play while parents can enjoy a drink from the bar.
Suitable venue? The Kings Fee pub in Hereford has been criticised after launching a baby and toddler group - in the bar
The pub provides toys, a play-pen for toddlers and a changing area for babies while milk and food can be heated in a microwave.
There are no rules against parents drinking alcohol while their children use the service, but children cannot be left unattended like in a creche.
The 'Kings Fee Baby and Toddler Group' meets between 10am and 12pm every Tuesday.
But parents groups hit out at holding such a group meeting in an establishment selling alcohol.
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said: 'We would urge caution as this is an inappropriate location to hold a mother and toddler group.
'We strongly advise parents to be careful and not to drink when they are looking after children.
Childcare and alcohol is a highly inappropriate combination.
'If they want to continue holding the group in the pub we would suggested they do it in a closed off room away from the other customers.'
Pub manager Helen Bates, pictured with her two children Harrison, two, and Ewan, one, set up the baby and toddler group
Some parents have also criticised the setting as inappropriate for small children.
Mother-of-one Mary Jones, 34, said: 'I was completely shocked when I heard about the group.
'A pub is not an appropriate setting for young children.
The idea of toddlers running around a pub with a load of locals getting drunk is mind boggling, I have never heard anything like it.'
The group was set up by husband and wife Kings Fee managers Robbie and Helen Bates.
Mrs Bates, who has a two-year-old son, said: 'There are no other places that are big enough in Hereford to hold a mother and baby group.
'We decided to create one in the pub, it is a big venue and we feel it is family friendly.
'We hope to expand the group over the next few weeks.
It is a place where mums can come to have a quick natter with their friends.'
Free house: The Kings Fee is part of the JD Wetherspoon chain of pubs
But Anita Leech, 41, a teacher and mother-of-three, said: 'A pub is the last place I would want to take my kids.
'I can't believe they are even allowed to have a group in a pub like that surely there must be health and safety rules to adhere to.'
The group was launched yesterday and was attended by six mothers and eight children, ranging from four months to four-years-old.
A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon today defended the group, claiming the pub is 'an ideal meeting place' for mothers and their young children.
He said: 'We do not feel that it is inappropriate to hold the group in the pub.
There are many groups held in different pubs across the country as they are ideal meeting places.
'We are delighted the group is being held here, it is a social pub and we want it to be the hub of the community.
'We do not feel there is a risk in having young children in our establishments.
If other people think it is inappropriate it is up to them, they do not have to attend the group.'
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JD Wetherspoon pub under fire after it opens mother and toddler group in bar | Mail Online
outrageous, what ever next A town pub has come under fire after launching a 'highly inappropriate' baby and toddler group - in the bar.
Young children are allowed to play at the Kings Fee pub in Hereford - part of the JD Wetherspoon chain - just feet away from drinkers.
A corner of the pub is blocked off with bar stools and tables to allow the babies to play while parents can enjoy a drink from the bar.
Suitable venue? The Kings Fee pub in Hereford has been criticised after launching a baby and toddler group - in the barThe pub provides toys, a play-pen for toddlers and a changing area for babies while milk and food can be heated in a microwave.
There are no rules against parents drinking alcohol while their children use the service, but children cannot be left unattended like in a creche.
The 'Kings Fee Baby and Toddler Group' meets between 10am and 12pm every Tuesday.
But parents groups hit out at holding such a group meeting in an establishment selling alcohol.
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said: 'We would urge caution as this is an inappropriate location to hold a mother and toddler group.
'We strongly advise parents to be careful and not to drink when they are looking after children.
Childcare and alcohol is a highly inappropriate combination.
'If they want to continue holding the group in the pub we would suggested they do it in a closed off room away from the other customers.'
Pub manager Helen Bates, pictured with her two children Harrison, two, and Ewan, one, set up the baby and toddler groupSome parents have also criticised the setting as inappropriate for small children.
Mother-of-one Mary Jones, 34, said: 'I was completely shocked when I heard about the group.
'A pub is not an appropriate setting for young children.
The idea of toddlers running around a pub with a load of locals getting drunk is mind boggling, I have never heard anything like it.'
The group was set up by husband and wife Kings Fee managers Robbie and Helen Bates.
Mrs Bates, who has a two-year-old son, said: 'There are no other places that are big enough in Hereford to hold a mother and baby group.
'We decided to create one in the pub, it is a big venue and we feel it is family friendly.
'We hope to expand the group over the next few weeks.
It is a place where mums can come to have a quick natter with their friends.'
Free house: The Kings Fee is part of the JD Wetherspoon chain of pubsBut Anita Leech, 41, a teacher and mother-of-three, said: 'A pub is the last place I would want to take my kids.
'I can't believe they are even allowed to have a group in a pub like that surely there must be health and safety rules to adhere to.'
The group was launched yesterday and was attended by six mothers and eight children, ranging from four months to four-years-old.
A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon today defended the group, claiming the pub is 'an ideal meeting place' for mothers and their young children.
He said: 'We do not feel that it is inappropriate to hold the group in the pub.
There are many groups held in different pubs across the country as they are ideal meeting places.
'We are delighted the group is being held here, it is a social pub and we want it to be the hub of the community.
'We do not feel there is a risk in having young children in our establishments.
If other people think it is inappropriate it is up to them, they do not have to attend the group.'
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JD Wetherspoon pub under fire after it opens mother and toddler group in bar | Mail Online
screw you nag3 
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