Grinch party at pub cancelled after staff were ‘bullied’ at £20 event
Share:
A pub has ended up in a row with parents after claims adults were behaving badly at a Grinch event and ‘bullied’ staff while the event was criticised as a ‘waste of money.’. Families have been left fuming after the Balfour Arms pub in Sidmouth, Devon, cancelled its Grinch-themed event just days before Christmas after running it for one day instead of three.
![[Christmas decorations at the Balfour Arms Sidmouth pub.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234211962-0e98.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The event, with tickets costing £20 per child, was advertised for having a meet-and-green with Grinch, Santa’s grotto, pony petting, fairground rides, hot chocolate and activities as the pub wanted to spread festive cheer. The pub said it decided to call off the events after yellow weather warnings meant stallholders had cancelled their appearance.
![[Christmas decorations at the Balfour Arms Sidmouth pub.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234211866-fc93.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
But before cancelling, the pub said its staff who had organised the event to ‘see smiles on children’s face’ received ‘bullying and trolling.’. It had faced criticism online following the first event on Saturday, with some visitors saying it was overcrowded after too many tickets were allegedly sold. Others said the pub had done a great job organising the event and staff had put a lot of effort into it.
The pub responded online after receiving feedback, claiming large groups of adults had arrived with one child as adults could enter for free with a child, causing the event ‘being very overcrowded.’. Adults also chomped down on the free food at the buffet intended for children and some adults tried to ‘claim free face painting.’.
