A GROUP of Southampton mums claim they were thrown out of a pub because they had babies with them.

First-time mum Lucy Sloam was with three of her friends when they stopped at The Cowherds for lunch following a morning on the Common with their four babies.

The 29-year-old says that before the party could order any food they were told to leave the venue because the landlord could not cope with “women, babies and their emotions”.

Brewery bosses at the Mitchells & Butchers pub chain are now investigating the incident at the watering hole which is one of the oldest and most well-known pubs in the city.

Lucy said that the friends, whose children were aged between 12 and 15 weeks old, had found a table big enough to seat the party of four with their prams without blocking any areas in the pub.

But despite ordering drinks they said they were told they would have to leave by a member of staff who said he was a manager.

“We informed him that due to his incredibly poor customer service and complete disrespect to us as people – let alone mothers, we would only be staying for a drink,”

said Lucy “To which he replied, ‘I don’t even want you to stay for drinks, I will repay you the money for the drinks.

Just leave’.”

Lucy said the staff member told the group that he couldn’t cope with “mothers, babies and their emotions”.

The party were then escorted off the premises via a fire exit and not allowed to enter the way they came in.

Lucy said the group were now considering action against the pub.

Lucy said the party were welcomed with open arms when they moved to The Bellemoor in Hill Lane for something to eat.

Robert Mitchell, the landlord of the pub, declined to comment on the incident, but a company spokesman said it was now being investigated by an area manager.

He added: “The Cowherds prides itself on being a family friendly pub which caters for families with young children by providing baby changing facilities and booster seats.

“Our team will always do their best to assist customers with young children.

“We’re disappointed to hear that a group of customers are dissatisfied with the service they received and we will contact them personally to ensure this matter is properly investigated and resolved.”