Licensees condemned by MP for failing disabled customers

Related tags Disability Wheelchair

Licensees have been condemned by a wheelchair-bound MP who says pubs are failing to meet the needs of disabled customers.Anne Begg (pictured), the...

Licensees have been condemned by a wheelchair-bound MP who says pubs are failing to meet the needs of disabled customers.

Anne Begg (pictured), the Labour MP for Aberdeen South, has criticised pubs for ignoring the legislation set down in the Disability Discrimination Act and has accused them of "blatant discrimination" after being refused entry into a bar because she was considered a "fire hazard".

She said: "Many places of entertainment, be they bars, restaurants or nightclubs, are turning a blind eye to this legislation, thinking it doesn't affect them. It makes bad business sense to turn away disabled people."

But the trade has hit back claiming it is trying to meet the needs of all its customers. Many licensees, particularly those in older pubs are unable to meet the high costs necessary to provide disabled access. Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, who has called for tax incentives for licensees, said: "The majority of pubs already cater for disabled people but there are certain pubs that may not be able to cater for the minority such as wheelchair users because they are listed.

"The trade overall is doing quite a lot and there is a willingness for licensees to comply as we can't turn money away."

His views are supported by The Publican's Market Report, a survery of 750 licensees, revealed that 55 per cent of premises do not have wheelchair access due to the fact that either the licensee cannot afford it or the premises are listed. Under the new Disability Discrimination Act, which comes into force in October 2004, all businesses have to make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure their premises are accessible or they may face prosecution.

This can mean anything from installing ramps, offering table service to disabled customers, teaching staff sign language and offering a braille menu.

Licensees worried about the changes should contact the disability rights commission on 08457 622 633 or log onto www.drc-gb.org.