Scots disability campaigners hopeful over change in pub access law

Scottish licensees will be asked to show how their pub can be accessed by disabled customers, under a proposal expected to become law.

Disability campaigners are confident that an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Licensing Act will be agreed in Scottish Parliament tomorrow.

The "Barred!" amendment, tabled by MSP George Foulkes, means licensees will have to say how their venues would be accessed by disabled people, when applying for a licence.

The law will then allow disabled pub-goers to decide where they want to socialise, based on a pub's facilities.

Foulkes said: "This amendment is not anti-pub. In fact, it is quite the reverse…this campaign works alongside the licensed trade and local authority licence forums to improve the accessibility of pubs and clubs where possible and get the right information about the accessibility of venues into the hands of disabled people."

The potential change is the result of Capability Scotland's Barred! campaign, started by disability activist Mark Cooper.

Mark launched the Barred! campaign after he was forced to leave an Edinburgh pub mid-drink because there was no accessible toilet.

A Facebook campaign site attracted support from disabled people across the country who had had similar problems.

The change in law is also expected to help blind and partially-sighted people, as well as wheelchair users.

James Adams, campaigns manager for RNIB Scotland said: "This legislation will be an important milestone in creating an environment where everyone can enjoy fuller access to recreational facilities."