A TEENAGER was turned away from a Wetherspoons pub because her ID was in Welsh.
Kate Oldham, 19, was shocked at being refused service even though the pub is in Wales – and even has a Welsh language name.
WNSA teenager was turned away from this Spoons in Wales[/caption]
Katie was at the pub chain’s Yr Hen Dderwen – the Old Oak in English – in Carmarthen, South Wales, with friends when she was asked for proof of age.
She showed her driving licence with her address in Welsh – and was turned away.
Katie then said she offered to provide her Cardiff University student ID as another form of identification, but as this was in Welsh, it could not be read by the pub’s staff.
Her sister Sophie said: “My sister asked to speak to a Welsh-speaking person, however apparently on that evening not one staff member in the pub, in Carmarthen, could speak Welsh.”
“Considering English and Welsh are given equal language status in Wales I find the fact that she was kicked out essentially for having Welsh language ID deeply concerning.”
Her ID gave her address in the well-heeled market town of Narberth, Pembrokeshire – with the Welsh name Arberth.
“They did not believe that Arberth is the Welsh for Narberth and insisted that her ID was forged and must be mis-spelt,” Sophie claims.
“It’s obvious that there is a need for more training in this particular branch of Wetherspoons.
“A simple Google search would have shown that Arberth is actually the original and indeed the Welsh version of Narberth.”
Sophie is so concerned about the issue that she has contacted the Welsh Language Commissioner and Cymdeithas yr Iaith (the Welsh Language Society).
Plaid Cymru spokesman Cefin Campbell, Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales, said: “It is unfortunate to hear that this young woman was not allowed to stay in a pub in Carmarthen because the placename on her ID was in Welsh.
“People from across Wales live through the medium of Welsh and should have every right to do so, especially given that legislation gives equal status to both Welsh and English.
“I hope that this matter will be investigated and that a similar incident will not happen again.”
The pub in Carmarthen’s King Street is named Yr Hen Dderwen in tribute to the landmark tree which stood in the town for 300 years.
A spokesperson for J.D. Wetherspoon said: “Wetherspoon accepts valid photographic ID issued in any language, especially in Welsh, in Carmarthen, and all staff are issued with training on how to identify valid identification.
“At present, we have been unable to find a record of this incident, but if the customer wishes to contact the company directly, we would be happy to address her concerns personally and investigate further with the pub team.”
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
