A pub boss shut down a newly opened boozer after he overheard a punter swearing, it's claimed.

The Fox and Goose pub in Droitwich, Worcestershire, was only opened seven weeks ago by owners Samuel Smith’s Brewery.

But the landlord says that after boss Humphrey Smith, 74, popped in for a pint on Sunday the pub was suddenly closed the next day.

Mr Smith was reportedly offended when he overheard another customer using the F-word while telling his wife a rude joke.

The chain owner is notorious for making such unusual decisions, having imposed a ban on bad language and mobile phones in 2017 to encourage “social conversation”.

He also got rid of jukeboxes, fruit machines and TVs.

The sudden closure has left landlord Eric Lowery, who lives in a flat above the pub with his wife Tracey, looking for somewhere to live.

Writing on the pub’s Facebook page, he said: “I’m so sorry Mr Smith been down and shut the pub.

"l love all you people that have stood by me and Tracey and have looked after us.”

Pub regular Tony Haycock said: “The pub had been shut for years before it opened again.

“It was fantastic to pop into after work.

“It was family friendly, takings were up, the pub was spotless and there had been no trouble, regulars were well behaved as we all pulled together as a community.

“He (Mr Smith) is notorious for having a strict ban on using mobile phones, bringing dogs in and swearing.

“He came in, had a drink and seemed happy.

“But he said he heard a man talking to a woman and the man swore. It wasn’t aimed at him, it was nothing at all.

“He’s shut the pub for one swear word taking all the money from the till and safe, and left the pub landlady and landlord jobless and homeless.

"It’s not like it was closed after a brawl.”

Another local said: “The man was telling his wife a dirty joke and said the F-word. It wasn’t aggressive. They were both laughing and joking.

“No one can quite believe the pub’s been shut. It’s a bit daft really because a pub’s where you go to let off steam and enjoy a bit of banter with other people.

"A ban on swearing is a bit much.”

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