In light of the recent media coverage of the situation at the Taphouse, I would like to explain the situation in detail, and the circumstances that led up to it.

See the Devon Live article that has generated so much interest.

When I took over the day-to-day management of the Taphouse in February 2022, my main aim was to create a welcoming community meeting place. I had recently moved to the area, and could see the need for and potential of such a space. Those familiar with the sociology term ‘third place‘ will understand my thinking. Essential to a successful third place is to make it a welcoming space for all in the community.

This isn’t just something I wanted to do from a business perspective. It’s something I believe in deeply as a human being.

Visitors will see the success we’ve enjoyed in pursuing our aim. We’ve become a vibrant community hub with people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

In early June 2023, a traveller group set up home on Osborne Park, directly outside of our doors. At the Taphouse, we attempted to make them welcome – to treat our new neighbours in the same way we treat everyone. Our doors were open to them, including the use of our toilet facilities without the expectation of them being paying customers – as we’d do for everyone. The weather was warm, and we provided free glasses of ice & water to them when requested, and served them as customers on a few occasions.

Unfortunately, our kindness was abused;
Customers were assaulted
Stock was stolen
Individuals defecated on the floor inside our premises
Our glassware was repeatedly smashed both inside and outside the premises
I personally had broken glass thrown at me and my car

Due to these incidents, when the travellers again arrived on Osborne Park on the 2nd of June this year and I sighted a number of individuals that I recognised from 2023, I made the decision not to allow the travellers into the Taphouse. I have bolded this line because it is key to my decision making.

Hopefully everyone is aware that this is not about race, ethnicity, or any other form of discrimination. It’s about doing my job to protect the business, our staff, and our customers.

I’ve had to make similar judgements on letting other groups of people in previously – attendees of the racecourse were abusive to our staff in 2022 – I refused them entry the next time they visited, as I would anyone who treated us in this way.
We closed early on Sunday 2nd during their arrival, as I was not available to be present on site. On our next day of opening (Tuesday 4th) I positioned myself at the door for what was planned to be the duration of the shift, with the aim of politely denying entry to the travellers.

At approximately 1900, I was approached by two individuals in a truck, who drove directly up to the door where I was situated. I recognised the driver from 2023, and although he was someone that I’d had an amicable relationship with the year before, I explained (giving the reasons above) that I couldn’t allow them into the Taphouse this year.

The passenger (who I did not recognise) was recording on his mobile phone from the outset of this interaction – presumably he had anticipated the conversation. On hearing my first words, he got out of the vehicle, insisting I was discriminating against him, and physically pushed me out of the way to make his way inside the Taphouse. He remained standing inside the Taphouse, filming me with his phone the entire time, questioning why I was discriminating against him, threatening me with legal action, and refusing to leave. I found the entire situation intimidating, owing to the size of this person, the camera in my face, the threats he was uttering, and the fact that I knew I was alone in this situation. I informed everyone inside that we would be closing. This individual was, in mocking tones, encouraging me to call the police, which I eventually accepted I had no choice but to do. I have absolutely no doubt that this individual was enjoying the whole situation immensely.

The police did manage to remove this individual from inside the Taphouse, but the entire interaction made me realise we had no choice but to close. There was no way I could guarantee the safety of the customers or staff, particularly after the bad feeling created by this incident. My choices were to let them in, and potentially face the same issues as 2023 – or to attempt to prevent them from entering, putting myself in danger of further assault – or to close. In the circumstances, taking the economic hit from closing seemed preferable to taking physical and emotional hits by staying open.

As the brutal financial reality of remaining closed begins to bite, I’ve since debated what I could have done differently – perhaps I should have taken the easy option and let them in, avoided the confrontation and hoped for the best – but the more I think about it, the more I know it was the right decision. The risk is too great.

I know many people have suggested that we hire door staff to deal with this. Unfortunately no security company is interested in dealing with this issue, I’ve tried.

We will remain closed for now. I understand the importance of the Taphouse as a gathering place and we’re looking forward to welcoming you all back once this situation passes – it’ll be good to see some friendly faces, and we are certainly going to need to get some money rolling through the tills.

In solidarity,
Chris