UMVA has learned that a battle between hungry seagulls and thirsty customers has erupted on the terrace of a popular pub in Norwich.
The Glasshouse Wetherspoons has been plagued by savvy seagulls, which have been swooping down to steal food from unsuspecting diners. The problem has become so severe that management has been forced to take action, warning customers to keep a close eye on their meals.
A sign outside the pub now reads: 'Seagulls!! Please do not leave your food unattended at anytime. We are unable to refund or recook any meals that are taken by seagulls.' This new policy has left some customers fuming, arguing that it's unfair to penalize them for the birds' thieving ways.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that customer Isla Gardner, 19, from Thorpe Hamlet, believes that diners should be entitled to a refund if they can prove that seagulls stole their food. 'It's unfair not to refund them,' she said.
Others, like Gillian Nobbs, 78, agree that it's the pub's responsibility to protect its customers from the marauding birds. 'If a pub has outdoor seating, they should do something to get rid of the birds,' she said. 'It's not the responsibility of the customers to keep the birds away, it's the responsibility of the business.'
However, not everyone shares this view. Steve Everritt, 76, a regular at the pub, thinks that customers need to take responsibility for their own meals. 'I would agree it's down to the individual to guard their food,' he said. 'It's a natural attraction. The pub are doing as much as they can, they aren’t responsible.'
As the summer months approach, the pub is bracing itself for even more feathered thieves. A spokesman for Wetherspoons said that they are exploring additional measures to deter the gulls and protect their customers' food.
The Great Black-backed Gull, a common sight in Norfolk, can grow to an impressive size, measuring 30 inches in length with a wingspan of up to 5.5 ft. These birds are known to be attracted to easy prey, and it seems that the pub's customers are their next target.
