Pub Refuses To Serve Woman In Wheelchair Because She Is Disabled

A London pub has attracted controversy after reportedly refusing to serve a customer because a staff member claimed they 'don't do disableds'.

Andy Smart visited The Plough in Bloomsbury, with his sister, Ros, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and needs to use a wheelchair.

But when the pair tried to enter the pub, according to Andy, staff said wouldn't serve his sister because 'they don't serve disabled people'.

Angry and shocked at what they had been told, Andy Smart took to social media and tweeted his story to Greene King, which owns the pub.

He wrote: "This afternoon, my sister Ros, who has MS, was turned away from the The Plough, a pub on Museum Street, London WC1.

"The phrase they used was 'We don't do disableds'. The manager then told her they don't serve disabled people."

Since sharing the tweet, dozens of shocked followers have commented to share their disgust at how the brother and sister were treated.

Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh was among those who responded, tweeting: "Boycott this pub and the bastards who own it. Sorry to hear that Ros was treated so badly by those ignorant people Andy."

Following the backlash, the pub's manager apologised for the incident in a post to Facebook, which read: "We are deeply concerned and worried for the thoughts shared about an inexcusable experience a group of patrons had today at our establishment. We would like to share our deepest concerns and apologies for the parties involved.

Google Maps

"Our goal as a team and representatives of Greene King is to provide our best possible service for all of our patrons.

"Refusing to serve anyone based on any disability is out of the question. I have discussed the incident with the team members involved thoroughly and believe there was a miscommunication which we truly apologise for.

"We have accommodated and serve disabled patrons before and we will continue to do so as we have always.

"Furthermore our staff and myself also have members of family that suffer from disabilities and would not like to see the same events happening to them.

"From myself and the members of staff from the Plough we would like to humbly apologise for the discomfort and distress caused by the misunderstanding that occurred today."

However, many remained unimpressed and replied by slamming the post.

One person wrote: "A staff member looked at a person in a wheelchair and refused to serve them. Miscommunication? Bollocks. You've basically lied here. First refusing to serve disabled people, now lying about it? Really?? Stop hiding behind pathetic evasions and own it."

Another said: "This is a classic apology/non-apology. Don't mitigate your apology by citing a misunderstanding. Simply say that you're sorry, you got it wrong, that henceforth all staff will be trained in customer service & basic human decency and... it will never happen again. It's easy.

"And, here's a thought, maybe say it directly to the person you offended - not on FB where she's unlikely to see it!"

Topics: UK News, Interesting, Health

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom