Royton bar targeted over Charlie Kirk mix-up

A beloved bar in Royton is facing ‘relentless online abuse’ after being falsely identified as a New Orleans pub of the same name attributed with writing a controversial comment on social media about Charlie Kirk’s death.

The Courtyard Brewery has been inundated with negative remarks ever since screenshots were circulated online that appeared to show the US bar taking critical aim at Kirk immediately after the 31-year-old right-wing activist was shot dead in Orem, USA, last week.

The owners of the Shepherd Street venue posted a desperate plea on their Facebook page aimed at American visitors to clarify they were not the authors of the original comment. 

The post said: “In the past four days we have unfortunately found ourselves in the position where we are being falsely accused and targeted by people that DO NOT READ before commenting on our socials. 

“We have spent four days trying to put out a fire that is not ours to fight.”

The original comment under a Fox News announcement of Kirk’s death has allegedly been deleted, though screenshots and a number of responses tagging the New Orleans bar remain in circulation. 

The case of mistaken identity has left Jacqui and Chris Ashley, owners of the Royton microbrewery, bar and coffee shop, feeling ‘stressed’ and ‘fed up’ after five days of trying to moderate comments and report Google reviews that ‘aren’t even aimed at them’. 

Speaking to the LDRS, Jacqui said: “To be really honest, I didn’t even know who Charlie Kirk was until this all happened. 

“I just woke up on Thursday morning and there were all of these horrible comments saying we’re ‘evil’ and ‘we hope your business burns down’.

"I spent my whole Thursday deleting comments as they came in. 

“We hoped it would just blow over after a few days.

"But we’re on day five and they’re still coming.” 

Jacqui, who has co-run the venue for eight years, says she has ‘no way of knowing’ if the comments have affected business, but she’s worried about fake reviews putting off potential customers.

Especially as the ordeal comes just as she and Chris are looking for someone to take over the business. 

“The way that hospitality and small businesses are at the minute, any negative is a massive blow,” she said.

“It’s just the last thing we needed right now.” 

The pub has appealed to local customers to carry on supporting them and bear their situation in mind when they see negative comments online. 

The Courtyard Brewery in New Orleans was contacted for comment.

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