A FUND-RAISING page has been set up to support the former landlord of Droitwich’s Fox and Goose pub after it unexpectedly shut down last Monday.
According to residents, the Westlands estate pub was closed permanently by Humphrey Smith, owner of Samuel Smith’s Brewery, when he overheard a customer swearing.
The snap decision has left landlord Eric Lowery and his wife Tracey without work, although the couple have been told they can continue living above the Fox until further notice.
In an emotional Facebook post Eric said: “I’m so sorry everyone, Mr smith has decided to shut down the pub for swearing.
“We are absolutely heart-broken.
“l love everyone of you who has stood by myself and Tracey, and looked after us.”
Pub regular Lyn Eckley, who set up a GoFundMe page for Eric and Tracey, said: “The brewery owner needs to be brought into the 21st Century.
“I wanted to start a fund-raiser to help my two friends who, through no fault of their own, have had this unfairly happen to them.
“Hopefully the cash raised will get them back on their feet and make things a bit easier for them when they’re moving out.”
The Standard contacted the brewery but was unable to get a comment.
In October 2017 Samuel Smith’s, an independent brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, issued a chain-wide ban on the use of profanity in its pubs.
The ‘zero-tolerance policy’ called for employees to cut off service to customers who used offensive language.
Visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-eric-and-tracey to donate to Eric and Tracey’s fund.
