THUGS have been barred from a Leigh restaurant for life after a brawl broke out between two groups of men. 

Bosses at The Estuary, in Leigh Broadway, have swiftly moved to condemn the individuals who clashed inside the restaurant. 

A fight erupted shortly before closing time, last Saturday night, after one group allegedly exchanged words with another as they left the premises. 

A video being widely shared on social media shows about half-a-dozen men trading blows as staff and other customers valiantly try to keep them apart.

Darren Bailey, director of Estuary Restaurants Ltd, said: “We have barred every single person who was involved from our restaurant for life and are working with Essex Police with this matter. 

“It came out of nowhere. There was no altercation between these guys at all during the entire evening. As one group walked out some words were exchanged and then it suddenly kicked off.

“I think it’s totally unacceptable having these types of people in our town doing stuff like this.”

Mr Bailey said: "We are working with other local businesses to warn them from letting the culprits enter their bars and restaurants too." 

He says he is liaising with Essex Police and will be assisting them with any investigation. 

“As part of the Leigh pub watch we have contacted them to arrange a meeting so we can get them barred from all the other establishments in Leigh as well,” he said. 

Mr Bailey added: “After 25 years in business, this is the first time we have had an incident like this and will not tolerate it. We have the safety of both our customers and staff at the forefront at all times.

“There was no indication that would happen, it was one of those things where a bunch of stupid idiots just kicked off without warning.” 

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We are investigating a disturbance reported to have taken place at around midnight on Saturday, July 16 at a restaurant in Broadway, Leigh.

“Anyone with information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, is asked to contact us.

“Please quote crime report 42/189116/22.”