Toby Carvery in Bury refuses to serve a kids meal to a mum with a gastric sleeve

A mum with a gastric sleeve was left red-faced when she claims Toby Carvery BANNED her from having a kid's meal - because she's over the age of 12.

Amy Jones visited Toby Carvery Ainsworth in Bury, Manchester, with her husband Simon Jones, 58, and their 13-year-old daughter for her birthday on November 9th.

The guinea pig rescue centre owner requested a child's portion after having gastric sleeve surgery in September that left her unable to 'eat more than a couple of bites'.

The 45-year-old claims her request was refused due to company policy placing an age restriction of 12 on their children's Sunday lunch option.

The embarrassed mum-of-two then ordered a £14.49 adult's vegetarian meal, plating up her dish in the hopes of taking any leftovers home.

After managing just five mouthfuls, she requested a takeaway box to take her gravy-covered leftovers home in, but says they only gave her a paper bag.

Feeling upset about the incident, Amy spoke to a manager and claims she was told they no longer dish out takeaway boxes as people had 'taken advantage' with refills.

Amy claims 'discretion' should have been used in her case and says she's been put off eating out again.

Toby Carvery said their children's menu is available only for children aged 12 years or under and pointed out that this is clearly stated on our menu.

The chain said their self-serve buffet 'offers the guests control of the overall portion size' and apologised this wasn't explained properly to Amy on her visit.

Amy, from Northwich, Cheshire, said: "I said to her [the waitress] that I had had gastric surgery and I wouldn't be eating more than a couple of bites.

"Her response was 'no, I couldn't [order a children's portion] because there is an age restriction of 12 years old on the children's meal and they can't change this policy for anyone'.

"I then just ordered a vegetarian carvery as I was so embarrassed after having this conversation with the server.

"I only had about five mouthfuls of food because I was full after this.

"I didn't think it was any bother as I had been to Toby Carvery before and they had very kindly given me a takeaway container to take my food away.

"A different waitress came over and I asked for a takeaway container. She said she could give me a brown paper bag.

"I wasn't sure that would be fit for purpose as I had gravy but I said that would have to do as she wasn't offering me anything else.

"At that point I was starting to get quite upset as I felt quite embarrassed.

"I spoke to the manager and I said I could understand about the kid's meal to a certain extent but I've got leftovers as, as I've said, I only eat small amounts now.

"He said it was company policy from head office that they couldn't give out the takeaway containers anymore as people have been taking advantage and going up for seconds and filling them up from the carvery.

"He said if he could [give me a container], he would but he wasn't allowed and it was tough."

Before surgery, 5ft 5in Amy weighed 17 stone and wore a size 22 but has since dropped two stone and two dress sizes.

The charity volunteer officer, who shared her experience on social media, says price wasn't the issue but that Toby Carvery could have handled the situation more 'discreetly'.

Amy said: "Price isn't the issue here. I thought that in my situation they could have offered a bit of discretion.

"If I had had a children's meal there probably wouldn't have been much left that I wanted to take home, which would have alleviated the issue with the takeaway box and the brown bag.

"There have been so many opinions, it's been ridiculous. Some people have said that I'm coming across as entitled and I'm certainly not.

"Yes, I do have control of what I put on my plate, but normally my husband would help me finish meals and I assumed I would be able to take the rest away.

"I didn't overfill my plate anyway. I know surgery was my choice but I think Toby Carvery could have offered some sort of discretion.

"It was embarrassing. The restaurant was packed with people and I felt like I was causing them an issue.

"A few people commented to say they had had weight loss surgery and had no issues having a child's portion from Toby Carvery.

"It was my daughter's birthday and it was her choice about which restaurant she wanted to eat at."

Since posting online, her TikTok video has racked up more than 18,000 views and 200 comments and users were seen to be split in their opinions.

One wrote: "I have also had surgery and I am not as entitled as some of you seem to be. Don't go to buffers or carveries if you cannot eat them.

"Go to small plate restaurants and shoring plate restaurants or take your own Tupperware.

"It's not difficult and you don't have to come online being entitled about it afterward as if they did you a disservice by selling something that is meant for adult patrons to you."

A second commented: "Why do people always expect people to accommodate them? The surgery was presumably your own choice. I'd just ordered a starter."

A third wrote: "I'd be taking that up with the head office. It's not fair treatment. Hope you're well."

The restaurant chain acknowledges some adult guests may prefer a slightly smaller portion, but states 'our carvery allows you to control the overall portion size by selecting as little or as much as you like to accompany your meal'.

A spokesperson for Toby Carvery said: "Our children's menu is available only for children aged 12 years or under and this is clearly stated on our menu.

"We understand that some adult guests may prefer a slightly smaller portion. The main appeal of our self-serve buffet offer is that it does allow for flexibility, in that you, the guest, are able to control the overall portion size by selecting as little or as much as you like to accompany the main element of the meal.

"We are sorry if this wasn't explained very well at the time of your visit and sincerely hope this doesn't deter you from visiting us in the future."