Pub forced to close kids' area after parents let children run riot

A pub, which had set up a dedicated arts and crafts station in its beer garden, has hit out at parents who recently visited and allowed their children to "absolutely destroy" the space

Jess Flaherty Senior News Reporter

11:40, 10 Aug 2026

[CAPTION: LEICESTER/MIRROR: Leicester pub forced to close kids' area after parents let children run riot Source: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hope+%26+Anchor/@52.6964611,-1.0997666,3a,46.9y,62.52h,89.97t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s1QnBUPhDdY2rSE_0ns0gsg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.0328835970469612%26panoid%3D1QnBUPhDdY2rSE_0ns0gsg%26yaw%3D62.51874828986178!7i16384!8i8192!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x487761fd6baa6e15:0x4b26f8475a5ede9e!2sHope+%26+Anchor!8m2!3d52.6965779!4d-1.0994516!16s%2Fg%2F1tlw8l4l!3m5!1s0x487761fd6baa6e15:0x4b26f8475a5ede9e!8m2!3d52.6965779!4d-1.0994516!16s%2Fg%2F1tlw8l4l?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDgwNS4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D]

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The pub made a bold decision after its craft area was destroyed(Image: Google Maps)

A pub has hit back after the outdoor craft area installed to entertain children whenever families visited the venue was absolutely destroyed by kids who painted furniture, a bouncy castle and more.

The craft area was set up in the beer garden of The Hope & Anchor, a popular venue in Syston, Leicester. It featured park-style wooden tables and benches adorned with pots of coloured pencils and felt-tip pens, paint, paper, card and more. The craft tables were placed on and surrounded by a protective sheeting backdrop to allow for some spillages and reduce mess but it seems recent visitors took it too far. Now pub staff have reportedly made the decision to remove the craft station from the beer garden all together.

In a post on Facebook, The Hope & Anchor shared a series of images showcasing the damage caused. In the pictures, art and craft supplies could be seen littering the protective sheet on the floor.

There were discarded pots of paint, pens and brushes, while the tables and benches were stained by bright and garish paint splatters and blobs in a variety of hues.

Piles of used card, shredded paper, paint bottles and more were seen laying on the floor, tables, and the benches too.

In other images, a bouncy castle hadnt escaped the craft carnage either, with splatters of dark paint visible on the very front, where other children would have to climb past in order to use the inflatable structure.

The Hope & Anchor penned: Rant alert! To the parents who sat in our beer garden yesterday and let your children absolutely destroy our outdoor craft area (which was completely cleaned and tidy and organised yesterday morning) who let them put paint on the bouncy castle and paint on other chairs and tables around the garden, I hope you are proud of yourselves because now we have completely removed our outdoor craft area.

Im sorry for all those that have been and enjoyed our space but our things that we have paid for for the enjoyment of your children [are] getting destroyed.

In the comments section, people were keen to share their thoughts, with many outraged by the damage inflicted on the craft area.

One person said: If you have videos of the parents, put them up. Name and shame and then charge them.

Another said: How selfish is that? Id be mortified if that was my child, I always make sure I clean up after any mess my son leaves even if the workers tell me its fine. Its just common decency.

While a third shared: What is scary, if they can do this as children what will they do when they are adults. Dont blame you for removing, it is hard enough for pubs to make a living without an unnecessary expense of replacing a damaged art table.

Someone else commented: Parents prob just sat drinking and expecting bar staff to babysit.

Another said: Dear me! What is wrong with society. Doesnt anybody teach their children respect anymore?

And another added: Absolutely disgusting behaviour from the parents. Theres nothing wrong with children having fun and getting creative, but parents should be supervising them and teaching them to respect other peoples property.

Its such a shame that a few irresponsible people have ruined something that so many other children enjoyed.

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The Hope & Anchor is in Leicester(Image: Google Maps)

However, some Facebook users felt staff had a responsibility to monitor the craft area while children were using it.

One person said: The clue is in the word 'beer garden' inebriated parents are not going to be watching what their kids are up to!

Another asked: Why didnt the business stop them before this amount of damage was done?

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Others had a different perspective. One Facebook user said: Honestly looks like water based poster paint. A bit of water would clear that right up. I can understand the frustration though although this is not as bad as you may think while emotions are running high.

Another agreed: Put it back. Like I always tell my kids - dont let a bad guy stop you from being a good guy.

The Hope & Anchor has been approached for a comment.

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