I might leave scooter and crawl in to make my point
Disabled Ray battles Post Office ban
A DISABLED man was banned from his local post office – after staff told him his mobility scooter was not allowed inside.
Raymond Brown, 47, claimed two women in Glasgow’s West Nile Street branch said only three-wheeled vehicles were permitted.
But when he explained his four-wheeled scooter was a pavement model – as opposed to one for use on roads – they refused to budge.
Raymond, who has had spina bifida since birth and cannot walk, said: “I was very angry and upset.
“If it was a road scooter, I would need to have a tax disc and insurance.
“I was tempted to leave my scooter outside in the street and crawl in on my hands and knees at lunchtime just to make a point.”
Raymond had travelled from his home in the city’s west end to the Post Office last Wednesday afternoon to buy a padlock.
A member of staff immediately offered him assistance – but then told him his scooter breached regulations. By the time Raymond reached the self-service checkout, a second worker appeared and reiterated the branch’s position.
Raymond added: “They said I wasn’t allowed in the store because it was a four-wheeled scooter. It is the only shop in Glasgow that has banned me.”
Raymond said he wanted to lodge a formal complaint and was handed a leaflet with a phone number on it – but has been unable to get through.
Asked what his message to the branch would be, Raymond said: “I am doing this in support of all disabled people and hopefully my experience will force a review of this policy.”
A Post Office spokeswoman said: “We were sorry to hear of the customer’s concerns.
“Unfortunately, there have been a number of incidents and near misses in some branches.
“As a result, only compact scooters may be used to visit the counter area.”