Miller & Carter defends drinks policy after diner vows to boycott restaurant

Daily Mirror

06-07-2025

A Miller & Carter customer raged at the chain's alcohol policy and vowed to never return to the restaurant in a scathing review
Miller & Carter has come out in defence of its drinks policy after a raging customer vowed to never return to the restaurant.
An eater at the steak restaurant chain posted a scathing review of one branch and hit out at the company for not making an exception in its alcohol policy. This customer raged that the chain did not allow 16 to 17-year-olds to drink some alcoholic drinks with their meal and with an adult over the age of 18, in line with a specific law.
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Despite their anger, the steak chain refused to give into this person's demands.
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The disgruntled eater slammed the Tanworth Lane branch in Solihull and said: "We have been visiting Miller and Carter for years, but this will be our last visit." This person then referenced the Licensing Act 2003 which makes an exception for some under 18-year-olds to drink alcohol, according to BirminghamLive.
The act states: "The Licensing Act 2003 clearly states the only exception is that 16- and 17-year-olds may drink beer, wine, or cider with a table meal in relevant premises, when accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over." This customer accused the restaurant of not adhering to this.
They wrote: "Miller and Carter denies this as a company policy. Clearly, there are no signs of such a policy, neither while entering the restaurant nor while booking a table. As a company, if you wish not to comply with the Licensing Act 2003, signage should be visible to customers."
The customer raged at the branch's signage and said: "Two or three signs for dress code and the Licensing Act 2003 are posted before entering, but clearly, no signs for the company's alcohol policy."
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Their raging review then took a turn and slammed the food at the chain that day too, saying: "Food was extremely poor today and three out of five steaks was served with wrong cooking temperatures. Wasn't in the mood to complain or stay any longer as we never to plan to visit M&C again."
The manger of the Solihull branch responded to this raging review by setting out the company policy and asking why they anger diner didn't say anything in the restaurant.
The manager said: "Firstly, we are pleased to hear that you have been visiting for years, but we can assure you that Miller and Carter and indeed our company, Mitchells and Butlers, have not changed any policies recently and we have never served children alcohol.
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"As a company we take our social responsibility policy very seriously and I have attached our Mitchell and Butlers policy towards the sale of alcohol to children for that can be found on our website. We are very aware of our responsibilities, and we are glad you found the licensing signage on entering the building that we are required to display by law, and thank you for pointing out our other signage to us.
"But we did know where they were already, but thank you anyway. It's disappointing that if you were unhappy with your meals that you didn't say anything at the time, we would have been more than happy to put any cooking temperature errors with your steaks right.
"But you seem far too upset that we wouldn't serve your children alcohol to have said anything to us. It really is disappointing to hear you will not visit Miller and Carter again because we wouldn't serve your children alcohol, but please be aware that this is the same across all Mitchells and Butlers Premises and their brands. I would hate for you to have to go through this again in one of our other brands."
With over 3,500 reviews, the negative feedback was in the minority as the branch boasts 4.5 out of five stars overall.