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 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 claims that when he told the doorman he was able to use stairs with the help of his friends, he was still refused entry.
Stephen, who has cerebral palsy, told Lanarkshire Live that he regularly goes out in Glasgow and visits establishments with stairs, which his friends always help him with.
He said: "I tried explaining to the guys that I manage stairs with help from my friends but the answer was still no.
"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 Slouch a month prior for a friend's birthday and had no issue then.
"They should be 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 states changes or adjustments should be made to ensure people can access places such as bars and restaurants.
Under the Act, a lack of accessibility for both disabled employees and members of the public in a premises can be considered discrimination.
Stephen emailed the bar and asked for an explanation.
General manager Kieran Hughes told him: "We have spoken to all parties involved and the common consent was that your party were refused entry due to it being too busy and a few of the members had been drinking.
"It was 12:45 in the morning and the venue was full. Since COVID we have made it a policy that any party of 6 or more should book ahead to avoid disappointment, unfortunately, we never had room for 8 on this busy bank holiday Sunday.
"We know you’ve enjoyed our Slouch experience before and we want you to enjoy it again.
"Our venue has operated for over 20 years now and we have done everything reasonably possible for all disabled access.
"As it is a listed Victorian basement we cannot fit a lift and our health and safety procedures state clearly that wheelchair access is welcomed, along with a buddy system consisting of sober and responsible adults as we can’t be responsible for carrying anyone in and out the premises.
"We are genuinely sorry that your experience wasn’t your usual Slouch experience and hope this hasn’t caused you too much stress or anxiety. Please when you want to return, contact me directly and we will have a great night waiting for you."
In response, Stephen told Lanarkshire Live: "We were never told once that it was too busy or that was the reason we weren't getting in.
"It is fair enough they can't fit a lift in the premises but then they have to find a way to accommodate disabled people and their complete lack of responsibility for that is atrocious.
"A few weeks prior we were in the same bar and my friends, who had been drinking, were responsible enough to help me up and down the stairs.
"It was the same scenario here. We are all responsible adults and if my friends felt they were too drunk to help me they wouldn't have attempted it."
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Why not head to our page and give us a like and share.
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here .
