'Enough is enough' Weymouth bar has zero tolerance to harassment
PlayYard owner Andy Cooke has vowed to keep his customers safe on a night out in an Instagram post
PlayYard in Weymouth is putting the safety of customers first with a new initiative by introducing a zero-tolerance policy against men and women on nights out.
After the tragic news of the death Sarah Everard, bar owner, Andy Cooke, wanted to do something for customers to feel safe while in his premises.
He posted a message on Instagram promising anyone who is 'being a pest' or 'acting inappropriately will be kicked out of PlayYard.
(Warning - The Instagram post further down the article does include suggestion of bad language)
The post has already been shared hundreds of times on social media across the country.
Andy told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
"I have had messages from people already saying 'this has happened to me on a night out and told us their story. They are appreciative of the fact that myself and other bars are trying to take note of this now and saying enough is enough.
"The Instagram post is gender neutral. 'Pestering' does happen to men as well but that doesn't mean to say it doesn't happen more to women because in my experience it does happen more to women. It also happens to a lot of the singers and DJ's in bars and the staff of course and door staff.
Andy explained why the post comes off a bit aggressive at the start:
"The reason I put that word is if you're being pestered on a night out you get this anxiety inside and you want to scream at them to leave you alone.
"Anyone that has had it happen to them knows that and that's why I used that term. But we don't tend to do that, we just hope that they keep quiet and will go away and leave us alone. Then we end up being the ones to slink off, but we shouldn't have to, we shouldn't have to be the ones that leave.
"'pestering' is not an assault and they are not necessarily touching you but they just won't leave you alone and it's got to stop and I just thought I need to get something sorted here."
Andy hopes other pubs clubs and restaurants in Weymouth will take on the initiative.
He said:
"In Weymouth us bar owners all work very closely together, especially through our pub watch group and I know that this 'pestering' thing is something that we all do take very seriously."
PlayYard has been offering a takeaway and delivery service during lockdown but will opening on 17th May.
The team say they can't wait to welcome people back, but their first weekend is fully booked already with a waiting list.