Black man says 'racist' Wetherspoon’s customer used pub’s app to send banana to his table

‘We looked at each other then looked at the banana. It was clearly sent by someone who was trying to be racist’

Mark D'arcy-Smith, 24, who had a banana sent to his table by an anonymous customer at a Wetherspoon's pub in Bromley, southeast London, on 8 November. (Mark D'arcy-Smith/SWNS)

Police are investigating after an anonymous Wetherspoon’s customer used the pub chain’s app to send a banana to a black man’s table.

Mark D’arcy-Smith, 24, was enjoying a few drinks with a friend at The Richmal Crompton in Bromley, southeast London, when a waiter delivered the unexpected order.

Bananas can be ordered for 30p through the Wetherspoon’s app and sent to any table in any of its branches without being identified.

Mr D’arcy-Smith, who works in media, claims he left the pub soon after the banana arrived because staff did not treat the incident seriously.

He later reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police.

He said: “We both looked at each other then looked at the banana. It clicked that it wasn’t ours. It was clearly sent by someone who was trying to be racist.

“My friend went to talk to a staff member but they didn’t see what the issue was.

“They thought they had brought an incorrect order. We had to explain what was wrong with that.

“I was sitting on my own at this point. I looked around to see if I could spot anyone. I got anxious. I think someone sent it because it was anonymous.”

Mark D'arcy-Smith, 24, who had a banana sent to his table by an anonymous customer at a Wetherspoon's pub in Bromley, southeast London, on 8 November. (Mark D'arcy-Smith/SWNS)

Mr D’arcy-Smith said he was left feeling “confused, angry lost and lonely” within a matter of seconds, and that two girls approached him to ask if he was okay.

He said he returned to the pub the following day to complain and to ask what was being done but was met with a similar response and decided to contact the police.

But the memory of the incident has left him with a bad feeling in a town he has called home for many years.

The football fan said he believed a rise in racism in the sport was fuelling the behaviour away from the stands.

A spokesperson for Wetherspoon’s said: “We apologise to the customer and appreciate the distress caused. This is now a police matter.

“We have responded to the customer and pointed out that the pub cannot be held responsible for app orders.”

Kent Police added in a statement: “Police are investigating a racially aggravated public order offence.

“The offence happened at about 10.05pm on Friday, 8 November at Westmoreland Place, Bromley, and involves an item being sent to the victim’s table.

“The matter was reported to police the next day.

“Officers from the South Area Command Unit investigate.”

There have been no arrests and inquiries continue.

SWNS contributed to this report.