Pity you didn't get a pic of the original one then, Jim. The present one as shown is not 'ambiguous', but can only have the interpretation I put on it. Nobody, but nobody, makes an 'appointment' to get served in a pub; but a sign refusing to see reps except by appointment is quite usual. I remain entirely unconvinced unless you can produce a pic of the sign you claim the pub to have been 'forced' [by whom, pray?] to replace with this one.

~M~