Steppingley village pub overwhelmed by support after £1 children's meals branded 'desperate'
A village pub said it received "hundreds" of messages of support after its offer of £1 children's meals was described as "desperate" on social media.
The French Horn in Steppingley introduced the offer, available with a dining adult, to help families enjoy meals out despite increasing pressure on household budgets.
But after someone criticised the promotion, the pub published a statement on Facebook defending its efforts to support customers and maintain its place in the community.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, according to the pub, with more than 600 likes and over 80 supportive comments.
Lars de Wijngaert, director at Orange Tulip Hospitality, the company that runs The French Horn, said: "We introduced the £1 children's meal offer, with a dining adult, to make a family meal out more affordable.
"With household budgets under pressure, we wanted to give families another reason to get together and enjoy their local pub."
He said the reaction to the pub's subsequent statement had been encouraging.
"People have said how much they love The French Horn, and some have described it as the best it has been in a long time.
"That means a great deal to us and our team."
Lars clarified that he had not responded directly to the person who made the original comment.
Instead, he published a separate statement explaining the reasons behind the offer and the work involved in running a community pub.
In that statement, the pub questioned whether offering affordable meals to customers should be regarded as desperation.
"We're not desperate. We're trying. And there's a big difference," it said.
Lars said: "Our team puts a huge amount of effort into creating a welcoming place, through everyday service, charity fundraisers, quizzes, entertainment and family events.
"I wanted to give people some insight into that effort. The support we have received since has been incredibly encouraging.
"We are committed to The French Horn and want it to remain a thriving part of village life for years to come.
"The response to our statement shows how much people value the pub, and continued support helps us turn that goodwill into a sustainable future."