I read with interest John Hoye's letter (Opinion, April 21) concerning his wife and two daughters being asked to leave one of Brighton Pier's bars at 8pm.

I would like to assure Mr Hoye that this is a regulation laid down by the Licensing Authority, which stipulates that no minors may be allowed in a public bar after 8pm. The pier must, as any licensed venue, observe such regulations.

Horatio's, Victoria's and the Offshore bar all actively welcome children prior to 8pm and offer a wide array of non-alcoholic drinks, food and satellite TV to entertain them, while parents may take a well-earned break.

However, we also offer a wide range of entertainment for children, with fairground rides, side shows, a restaurant, food outlets and arcades, to ensure that, even after 8pm, there are still plenty of ways to capture a child's imagination.

-Julia Gallagher, Marketing and PR manager, Brighton Pier