A new Workington bar has issued a strict – and divisive – dress code on social media ahead of its opening this week.
Bees Knees Workington has been renovating former nightspot Chasers Bar into a new venue boasting a dog friendly space until 7pm, maximalist décor and space for live music.
It will he the first venue of the wider chain to open in Cumbria – with other venues found in Manchester and Lancashire.
The venue’s Facebook page has posted regular updates on renovations, cocktails and live music plans ahead of its big opening – including a strict dress code, which has sparked some debate online.
The cocktail bar said in a social media post that the dress code would be enforced on weekend nights including Friday as well as bank holiday Sunday nights after 9pm.
No sportswear will be allowed, including tracksuit tops and bottoms, joggers, sports shorts and football shirts. The business added that any kind of gym clothing would also not be allowed into the venue.
Work wear including high visibility jackets and trousers, work boots, pants and tops will also be barred along with dirty, soiled, bloody or greasy clothing.
Pub goers will also not be allowed to wear hats into the venue – but cargo pants considered dressy enough and part of a ‘going out’ outfit will be allowed.
Denim will also be allowed and so will suitable trainers alongside dress shorts on hot days.
The cocktail bar added: “There will be comments like ‘this is Workington’ but as a company we want to drive standards in a town to create a safer, better environment for people to enjoy a night out. Thanks for the understanding.”
The post quickly attracted hundreds of comments debating whether or not the dress code was a positive move.
Some felt the dress code was a good thing for the town, Lynne Hodgson said: “About time someone started bringing this back in. I can’t really understand why people wouldn’t want to make more of an effort on a night out.”
While Julie Mccartney said: “Hopefully you will set the standard and all pubs will follow. Whitehaven is full of young ones in pubs with sports wear!”
Jarrod Patrick Duffy added: “How it should be in all venues across the board, across the nation. Far too many go out in trackies and don’t make an effort.”
Others responded more critically to the plans, voicing concerns about the need for a dress code in a small town.
Joanna Kirk said: “What does what we wear/look like have to do with safety! Really what you’re saying is you want a certain look.”
The bar responded to Joanna and said: “Partly yes…but it also comes on our risk assessments that we find by 9pm most people in work gear have been out for a long period of time drinking and are more likely to be highly intoxicated later in the night as they haven’t planned to go on a night out.
“There are other reasons as well like they may smell wearing that type of clothing.”
Some people also expressed concern about rugby and football teams and fans wanting to celebrate after matches in their team tops and being turned away.
Megan Morrison said: “Any rugby teams normally go out in their tops afterwards. Workington isn’t a busy town to begin with, never mind not letting people in because of their clothes…it’s Workington not Newcastle.”
Another person asked the business their stance on those wearing hats to cover conditions such as alopecia.
Abbie Greggain said: “What if someone is wearing a hat because of low self esteem/conditions like alopecia?”
The business responded to Abbie and said: “We deal with things on a case by case basis. However, we generally still wouldn’t let anybody in with headwear as it hampers CCTV footage.”
In a follow-up post the firm said: “Population of Workington 21,281. People we have reached with our post, 25,000. See you soon boys and gals looking fab as usual.”
