Bar staff said I was a ‘safety risk’ because I use a wheelchair
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A Rutherglen man claims he was denied entry to a popular Glasgow bar as he was deemed a “safety risk” because he uses a wheelchair.
Stephen Reside, 28, visited Slouch on Sunday night only to be told that he wouldn’t be able to enter.
After asking why, Stephen says the doorman told him that, after speaking with the manager, it was too much of a risk to let him in as they have stairs and Stephen uses a wheelchair.
And Stephen says that when he told the doorman that he was in fact able to use stairs with the help of his friends, he was still refused entry.
Stephen, who has cerebral palsy, told the Reformer that he frequently goes out in Glasgow and visits establishments with stairs, which his friends help him with.
He said: “I tried explaining to the guys that I go to the Cathouse nightclub every other week and can manage stairs with help from my friends. But the answer was still no.” Stephen added: “If they thought that I was too drunk
and didn’t want to let me in that’s fine.
“But I’m disgusted that this bar essentially used my disability as an excuse not to allow me into the premises.
“What makes it even worse is that I attended this establishment a month prior for a friend’s birthday and had no issue then.
“I hope they are aware that it is a legal requirement to have disabled access in the pub or to find a way to accommodate disabled people.”
The Equality Act 2010 says changes or adjustments should be made to ensure people can access places such as bars and restaurants.
Under the Equality Act, a lack of accessibility for both disabled employees and members of the public in your premises can be considered discrimination.
Stephen has since emailed the bar and asked for an explanation.
They have said they will be conducting an investigation into what happened.
Slouch Glasgow has been approached for comment.
I’m disgusted this bar essentially used my disability as an excuse not to allow me into the premises