Staff at a Dundee restaurant have had to deal with “intimidating” phone calls for “simply trying to do their jobs”.
The Boozy Cow refused entry to some people during a pro-independence march through the city on Saturday, citing advice from police and licensing officers to take “precautionary safety measures”.
The decision has sparked outrage among independence supporters, with the company’s Facebook page inundated with calls to boycott the chain.
Among the more than 200 comments were ones describing it as a “scum unionist business” and to “shove your excuse up your a**e”.
Police estimate 16,000 people took part in the All Under One Banner march. The procession started at Baxter Park and passed The Boozy Cow on Roseangle on its way to Magdalen Green.
The pub’s general manager, Michael Cavellini, insists the outlet has “no political affiliation” and staff were simply complying with the advice.
He said: “Since Saturday, my team have been receiving intimidating phone calls while simply trying to do their jobs.
“These public bodies suggested that due to the volume of people, we should put in place extra precautionary safety measures. With this projected number of people in the city, we had to ensure the safety of our customers and staff.
“As a company, we have no political affiliation, but cannot put our licence in jeopardy or customers at risk.
“Myself and my team are extremely saddened at the hateful and aggressive comments that have been directed at our pub.
“The Boozy Cow will never refuse service on the basis of religion, gender, sexual orientation or political beliefs.
“We hope people understand why we took this decision and we will continue to work hard to ensure The Boozy Cow is a place for everyone to enjoy.”
https://www.facebook.com/boozycowdundee/posts/677255792673280?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARASF5KILXjlC5-gviqcWUUMfgdCs0ZDDaxGW5LwmoVV4duf10mUzWWXWR5vcDp2NCpkolOZSbITAOeqlHSMX-aJPbQL6L9X7yKVWQIUNOutWvdG6GsK-keGz9i03XTI6i4XV-cf5N0y&__tn__=-R
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We provide advice and visit licensed premises on a regular basis. This is not uncommon in the lead up to events such as this one which involves the influx of a significant number of people.
“A decision not to let an individual or group into a licensed premise would rest with the licensee, and there was no formal instruction by Police Scotland that members of the All Under One Banner event should not be admitted to licensed premises in Dundee.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “Licensing Standards Officers visited a number of premises to inform them about the march, its route and the number of people expected.”
All Under One Banner organiser Mandeep Singh said he does not agree with people intimating staff, but feels people voicing their anger at the company is fair.
He said: “We don’t condone people being harassed at their work, I find that disheartening to hear.
“Nobody in Scotland should be discriminated and if people feel that’s what this company has done they will want to take their frustrations out.
“Our marches bring thousands of people from all over Scotland and they spend a lot of money. Why wouldn’t a business want that?
“If the bar was full I could believe that, but if it was empty then there is no excuse for that other than discrimination. There is no room for that in Scotland.
“Nobody should be ashamed of flying their own flag in Scotland.”
