Compass Inn in Winsor to close as landlady Mop Draper who banned children steps down after 27 years

A NEW Forest pub which hit the headlines with a controversial ban on children will shut “till further notice” on Sunday when its landlady steps down after 27 years.

Mop Draper announced the closure of the Compass Inn, in Winsor, in a post on the hostelry’s Facebook page yesterday (Wednesday) evening, describing her time behind the bar as “eventful”.

As reported in the A&T, Ms Draper divided opinion among customers in September 2020 when she forbade youngsters under 12 from the village pub except for Sunday lunchtimes.

This exception was then removed last June, with the landlady saying an incident on Father’s Day involving “feral” children led her to enact a total ban she had been considering for several months.

“The children were jumping up and down on chairs, literally screeching. It was the kind of noise that goes straight through you,” she said at the time.

“The parents did nothing to stop them, even after I had a polite word.

“It ruined everyone else’s lunch.”

The move led to hundreds of comments being posted on the pub’s Facebook page, some in support and others against.

In yesterday’s post, Ms Draper wrote: “The Compass Inn will be closing soon till further notice. Our last trading day will be Sunday 2nd January 2022.

“I have sadly decided not to renew my lease. It has been an eventful 27 years.

“Thank you for all your custom and support over these years. Wishing you all best for the new year!”

Shared on a local Facebook page, the announcement had already attracted dozens of comments by this morning. These were divided between people who paid tribute to Ms Draper’s service over nearly three decades and those who again condemned her ban on children.

One person wrote: “This has been a reliable and favourite place for a lunchtime snack with my friends and a place to bring my parents, not to mention the dogs too.

“A rare country pub where you are always welcome. With good food, friendly staff and pleasant atmosphere.

“I will really miss you guys. Whoever takes it on has some big shoes to fill. All I can say is I hope they don’t change it too much.”

But another wrote: “Lost our custom the moment they banned children.

“We are a family of nine adults who went regularly, spending approximately £100+ a time then two babies came along in our family and kids were banned!

“They didn't run round or scream but were still not allowed. We loved the pub and the food was fab. Not fair that all children were labelled the same.”