A popular Kent restaurant says it would never consider banning children after an outspoken celebrity declared they should be seen and not heard when it comes to eating out.

Whitstable journalist and TV personality Janet Street-Porter caused controversy this week after writing how infuriating she finds it when an evening out is ruined by other people’s “loathsome” offspring.

She has called for cafes and eateries to introduce child-free zones so people can go out and enjoy adult-only time without listening to screaming and crying kids running riot.

While she has received a lot of support for her opinion, not everybody feels the same, and one of Canterbury’s outlets says people should expect there to be families around when they go out.

Deputy manager at Cafe des Amis John Whybrow says they are a family restaurant and welcome groups in at any time.

“We would never consider a ban,” he said.

“If you’ve ever been in on a busy Saturday it’s full of children.

“Most of our menu is designed around children.”

Ms Street-Porter vents about how the emphasis now seems to be on child-friendly establishments because no one has the guts to say anything against it.

However, she said dining experiences are often ruined as people are forced to conduct their conversations over noisy, badly-behaved kids.

She writes in her MailOnline column: “Many mums seem to think they have a divine right to monopolise any cafe they can jam their buggies inside.

“Why should toddlers be allowed to roam at will, careering into waiters and coming to shout hello when you’re eating your scrambled egg?

“If diners are paying for a special evening out, a small, noisy child can be as infuriating as a large group of slightly inebriated men or women.

“We don’t allow dogs in most restaurants and cafes, and generally they are better behaved than the average British toddler.

“As a compromise, why can’t large restaurants and all-day diners have child-free zones as well as specially designated children’s seating areas, as far away as possible from other diners?

“Please, can parents realise that children don’t rule the world.”

While Mr Whybrow admits they do sometimes see children misbehaving, like any establishment, he says it is the way it is dealt with that is important.

In extreme circumstances he says staff would speak to parents.

“Most people understand,” he said.

“If people come out on a Saturday lunchtime they are more than likely to be faced with a fairly loud atmosphere.

“It’s wrong to say you would ban children.”

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