A SOLDIER on leave from his first tour in Afghanistan was refused entry to a bar in Chester after doormen told him “no armed forces are allowed in here”.
The 19-year-old Private from Blacon, Chester, was with his girlfriend enjoying his first night out in Chester since he arrived home from three months on the frontline fighting for his country when he was refused entry into Fiesta Havana’s, on Watergate Street.
The soldier, who has asked not to be identified, claims that he was asked for ID before entering the premises and claims that doormen refused him entry on the grounds that he produced his Army ID card.
His father fumed: “They told him that there were no forces allowed in and that it was the manager’s discretion. When he told me I just couldn’t believe it. The Royal Welsh have just been given Freedom of The City and there is my son, a serving soldier, being told he can’t get into a bar because he is in the army.”
The soldier, who is based in Germany, has been fighting on the frontline in Afghanistan on his first operational tour since he joined the Army 18 months ago.
He has faced dangers daily, as well as tough living conditions on basic patrol bases and high risk foot and vehicle patrols in Helmand Province.
His father added: “He’s been away for three months and he has come into contact with some pretty dangerous stuff. He’s been involved in a few attacks and his vehicle was blow off the road by an IED (improvised explosive device). It’s been harrowing for him and he only gets 10 days leave – I can’t believe they wouldn’t let him in.
“I’m gobsmacked to be honest – if he was with 10 of his mates then maybe they would have something to say but enjoying a quiet drink with your girlfriend on leave from the army is no reason to refuse entry.”
The soldier’s proud father called for greater respect for armed force personnel in the city.
He said: “He came home so disappointed and it has affected his leave – it shouldn’t be allowed to happen.”
A spokeswoman from Fiesta Havana’s said: “Fiesta Havana’s door policy does not exclude anyone from the armed forces. However, we do ask for ID on entry if the customer looks under 21. We accept as proof of age a passport, driver’s licence or Prove It cards, but not work ID cards.”