And hopefully final update. Unless there are good things to report!
Background: Part One
Part Two
I emailed Walkabout, they emailed back, I emailed back to tell them their email wasn't good enough (the Walkabout email can be found in Part Two). I was a little surprised this morning to find another email from Walkabout in my inbox. Here it is:
Dear Kathy
Many thanks for your recent email to our website. We have posted a statement onto the homepage of the walkabout website clarifying our policy, expressing regret for the upset caused and welcoming the marines back for a free lunch, in uniform.
It reads as follows:
CHANGE OF POLICY REGARDING UNIFORMED PERSONNEL
In light of a regrettable incident that occurred in Liverpool last week when two Royal Marines were not allowed into the bar, we wanted to clarify our policy:
There is no national policy banning uniformed service personnel. There was a non-uniform policy in Liverpool due to three incidents in the last six months where the safety of uniformed personnel was compromised. However, further to recent feedback we have revised this policy and the uniform ban in Liverpool has been lifted, bringing it in-line with the rest of our bars.
Futhermore, we welcome the group of marines that were turned away back to the bar for a free lunch in full uniform.
We deeply regret that this incident has caused upset to Cpl Nowak's family, friends and comrades and want to re-iterate that all service personnel are welcome at all of our bars.
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Whilst I understand the fierce reaction to the misinformed reports that there was a blanket ban on service personnel across our business, I hope you will welcome this clarification of our position.
Kind regards
Simon Kaye
Commercial Director
Regent Inns
I added the website with the policy change statement into the first paragraph.
I kinda hope that any and every Royal Marine Commando in the local area shows up in their beautiful blue blues - even though I know they only wear them on genuinely special occasions.
It is nice that they took the trouble to email me back, again. I definitely was, as Mr. Kaye says "fierce." And that is the way that I will always be in regard to our fighting best! Thank you to everyone who posted about this, and everyone that took the time to contact Walkabout! They just need to offer a military discount to make me really happy :o)
Kath,
First WELL DONE! Your efforts are to be commended and your soon to be husband is a lucky man to have a spouse so fervent in her defense of him and his comrades.
You are a great example for every military spouse who fights a different but no less important battle every day.
Posted by: Anthony | December 01, 2006 at 02:19 PM
Very well done!
Posted by: BB | December 02, 2006 at 08:23 AM
Hey thank you guys!
Wasn't just me though, thank you both for cheering me on, and to all the people who wrote in to Walkabout definitely.
:o)
Posted by: Kath | December 02, 2006 at 10:03 PM
Way to go Princess! I am proud of you for getting this started and carrying through! You made a difference!
Posted by: DAD | December 04, 2006 at 07:26 AM
Congratulations Kath!
Result!
Posted by: Pat | December 04, 2006 at 12:04 PM
Thank you Dad, that means everything!
Pat, I really appreciate your comments :o)
Posted by: Kath | December 05, 2006 at 04:02 PM
Well done Kathy, that was awesome!
I would guess that drunken incidents happening in city centers probably feature 1 in 1000 servicemen. Why not ban chavs and townies instead- 99% of the time they are the trouble makers- but then they wouldn't make any money.
It's easier to pick out a select group of people (especially uniforms) than your main customers (who are the problem).
Posted by: Alex Fear | December 09, 2006 at 06:08 AM
Nice work, Kath!
Posted by: Andi | December 17, 2006 at 06:20 PM
Thanks you two! Alex, I wish it were that way, not just in this situation but in others I've seen along the way. Luckily, there are people out there willing to stand up for what's right :o)
Merry Christmas to you both!
Posted by: Kath | December 17, 2006 at 08:05 PM