Members of the far-right protest group posted a picture of themselves online holding a banner saying 'refugees not welcome' outside Punch-owned the Tanners Arms in Byker and thanked the pub for its "support and free drinks" – despite being asked to leave by staff.

Read: When is it legal to refuse entry?​​

Dozens of five-star reviews have since been left on the pub's Facebook page praising licensee Tim Clarke and his team for their actions and pledging support for the pub.

One customer wrote: "A super-friendly place and a landlord who is a top-notch bloke. He cares about his customers, no matter who they might be, but will not stand for any prejudice. Cannot wait to get back."

Tolerant atmosphere​

Another added: "Brilliant place. Landlord's good, staff are cool and it has wonderful, tolerant atmosphere. Highly recommended!"

Others have offered to visit the pub from as far away as Australia.

A spokesperson from Punch said: "We fully support the Tanners Arms in Newcastle and its decision to remove those who were causing a disturbance at the site. The Tanners Arms is an excellent pub, which is very popular with customers and we are pleased that the management took action to ensure that customers who were there at the time were able to continue enjoying their Easter visit without further issue."

A spokesperson from the Tanners Arms added: "We pride ourselves on running a friendly pub that is welcoming to people from all walks of like and will always act to ensure this enjoyable environment is maintained for all.

"Anyone is welcome at the Tanners Arms provided they treat our team and customers with respect. Unfortunately, we had to act to remove those who did not meet this ethos – something that is, fortunately, an exceptionally rare occurrence."

Southend licensee Nicola Tiney said she feared for her business after allowing EDL members​ to meet in her pub in 2013. Anti-extremist protesters launched a Facebook campaign asking drinkers to boycott the Borough Hotel, despite Tiney's insistence that she was not an EDL supporter and had not hosted an official meeting.