Landlord found guilty over homophobic pub sign

20th October 2007
by Ian Fielding

The landlord of a Trowbridge pub who allowed a homophobic sign to be displayed outside his premises has been found guilty of a public order offence at Chippenham Magistrates Court.

As previously reported by Pridewest, a hand written chalk sign was displayed outside the pub declaring "Faggots and Mince not on the Menu", in a bid to promote the re-opening of the Hope & Anchor public house in Frome Road, Trowbridge.

The sign was thought to be a reference to the previous landlords, John Williams and his partner Lee, who left the pub in September 2006, following 15 months at the helm of the friendly local.

Mr Williams believed that the sign, which was then removed later in that week, referred to him and his partner. He made a formal complaint to Wiltshire Police. "I couldn't believe it. I was fuming. That is taking the mickey out of every gay person in the town," Mr Williams told The Wiltshire Times at the time. "We didn't run a gay pub, but it wouldn't matter if we did. We have never even spoken to these people. I think it's disgusting because we are not a disease. We are recognised in law now; we have equal rights and can take part in civil ceremonies."

The new landlord, Adrian Taylor, 54, has now been fined £500 by the Magistrates. He said that he did not write the sign, but found it amusing and did not remove it. He was told by Magistrate Lynn Mattews "You must realise society will not tolerate this behaviour".