A pub restaurant is facing a backlash after a soldier helping snowbound motorists claimed he was charged 50p to go to the toilet.
Troops were drafted in to help stranded travellers on the A702, a major route linking Edinburgh with the M74.
After enduring horrendous ice cold conditions for four hours the squaddies used the toilets at the Flotterstone Inn, near Penicuik, Midlothian.
The Flotterstone Inn, near Penicuik, Midlothian allegedly charged troops 50p to use the toilet
Curtis Craven, who says online that he is ‘Infantry at British Army’ claimed that they tried to charge him during a discussion on Facebook.
However, the owners of the pub insisted that it was a joke that was taken the wrong way.
The row erupted when stranded motorist John McInally Jnr posted on Facebook: ‘Stuck at the Flotterstone Inn and the landlady is charging the squaddies 50p to use the toilet.
Curtis Craven, (left) who was one of a number of troops helping out in the snow and claimed he had been charged 50p to use the toilet
‘They’re posted here to help the stranded travellers.’
The post was shared by Sharen McShane who tagged the Flotterstone’s Facebook page and added: ‘If this is true then shame on you.’
Another user, Greg Telford, added: ‘Get this shared. Absolutely disgusting behaviour from the Flotterstone Inn.’
Caroline Lind said: ‘What a bloody cheek they should be watering and feeding them no charging to have a pee. Disgusting.’
And Gail Thomson said: ‘What she is doing is shocking especially when helping others. Blooming nerve of some people.’
Later the pub denied the claim on their Facebook page.
They wrote: ‘To set the record straight. We did not charge squaddies to use the toilet. A bus load of tourists came in to use the toilet.
‘They offered to pay 50p as they weren’t staying to eat or drink. We accepted the offer and the cash will go to charity.’
But John McInally Jnr hit back: ‘There was a busload of tourists yes, but the squaddies who came in after them were asked to pay 50p and one of them was outraged and left after heated words.’
Then Mr Craven responded.
A tweet from John McInally Jnr who sparked the Facebook backlash by revealing that soldiers were charged 50p to use the toilet
Another post from a user slamming the resturant
Solider Mr Craven said that he was charged to use the toilet after helping motorists stranded in the snow
He wrote: ‘It did happen. They tried to charge me and my mate for using the toilet. We thought that she was going to offer drinks for us for standing out there for four hours but no, it was, ‘If you’re not getting food or drink – 50p for using the toilet’.’
After the soldier’s intervention, restaurant chef Andrew Campbell said: ‘Look mate I’m the chef at the Flotterstone Inn and all I can do is just apologise.
‘Saw what you and your mate done. I seen you outside with the bus and helping with traffic in the bad conditions.’
Chef Andrew Campbell later joined in the chat and apologised to Curtis, and offered to pay for a meal and beers
He later added: ‘On behalf of all the people you assisted a big thank you to you and your pal.
‘If you and your pal pop up to the Flott the meal and beers are on me to say thank you.’
Later the owner of the Flotterstone Inn, John Still, claimed a joke had been misinterpreted.
The owners of the Flottersone Inn later posted on Facebook denying they had asked soldiers to pay 50p
He said: ‘They came in and we said for a joke, ‘Oh you’ll have to pay as well’.
‘One of my staff knows them and there was no malice at all. They’re coming up for a meal, just for they’re help and being out for four hours.
‘Some of the comments are just terrible. I don’t have social media but my secretary was disgusted by them.’