A Penryn pub has responded to criticism after coming under fire for imposing 'no vaccine no entry' policy that's being described by customers as 'discriminatory.'

The Kings Bar in Penryn announced last Saturday (June 12) that it would only be allowing people that had received a vaccine to enter its premises in an effort to reduce the risk of transmission.

In a post on its social media channels, the pub and hotel stated that anyone who had not received a vaccine would be asked to make their way to the beer garden, and would not be allowed inside the premises.

The announcement also stated that the pub would be reintroducing its "No Mask, No Entry, No Exceptions" policy, whereby anyone without a mask will be refused entry.

The Kings Bar has said that the reasoning behind the new policy is to protect both staff and customers from catching or spreading Covid-19.

The pub also said in the statement: "With the influx of people coming into Falmouth, Penryn and Cornwall in general and the recent awful news of pub closures in and around Falmouth due to the virus, we need to keep our staff and you lovelies as safe as possible...

"This is the only way we feel that fits the criteria of keeping everyone safe and to not put unnecessary strain on our staff that are yet to be vaccinated due to age..."

However, this latest policy implementation has been met with fierce criticism from people who are claiming that introducing these rules is "discriminatory" to those people who haven't received, aren't eligible for, or do not want to take a vaccine.

Twitter user Michelle Burns, who also contacted local councillor, Tamsyn Widdon as well as barrister Francis Hoar and voluntary group Lawyers for Liberty, all via twitter, tweeted out her reaction: "Discrimination at its finest!!!

"Those unvaccinated are forced to sit outside, plus it appears they have adopted 'no mask no entry, NO exception' policy.

"What will come next??"

Reviews on the pub's Facebook page have also turned sour, despite the pubs intentions being to minimise transmission, with many users posting poor reviews mentioning the policy.

Elkee Mills, who is the Landlady of the establishment, responded to the criticism saying: "It's every business in this climate, everyone's in this together.

"What we've tried to do is keep everybody safe.

"It's hard and we have to understand that we have students that work here and if they have to self isolate for ten days that means they don't go home and see family again.

"If it wasn't for the G7 and this and that, we might not be put in this position.

"We have in a short period of time, brought so many into Cornwall and its just overwhelmed Cornwall businesses and hospitality.

"It's overwhelmed the sector entirely, so it's all kind of up in the air.

"If anyone has another way that we can do it, we're welcoming ideas as this point."