Follow up from my blog post about Wetherspoons

It pays to make them aware, after I sent a copy of the blog post to their MD I have finally received this email back.

In my blog post, you'll find it here, I slammed the accessibility code of their establishments that made me feel like a second class citizen because I almost always needed to go around the back.

As they point out they tend to go for the quirky buildings, mostly with Listed status, and the excuse is that they cannot alter the surroundings.  Debatable.  In two examples I cited, there would be little or no obvious signs of change and it would allow for me to go in the front, with the rest of my party.

So here's the response:


"Dear Mr Wright

Thank you for your email to our CEO John Hutson, which has been passed to us for response.

Firstly may we apologise for the delay in our response to you.

All of your comments from your blog have been noted.

We can confirm it is our intention to seek the best possible access to all of our pubs and hotels. Wetherspoon prides itself on reusing old and often iconic buildings but this can bring challenges and issues with access as you mention, where possible adjustments will be made to ensure ease of access. 

We employ the services of a health and safety consultancy to conduct access audits for all of our new pubs and hotels. Access audits for our existing properties are conducted by our internal auditors. In addition, some of our pubs work closely with disability groups and charities on a local level.

As all of our pubs are unique, our customers are encouraged to give their feedback regarding any aspect of a pubs operation to the management team at the time of their visit. This enables any appropriate action to be taken on a local level.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your feedback.

We sincerely apologise once again for the delay in responding to you.

Yours sincerely

Customer Services

JD Wetherspoon plc "

Having to use the rear entrance makes me a second class citizen: Discuss?

Today's post was prompted by seeing a newly built Wetherspoons during filming a travel blog. I'd gone to Melksham and came across the Old Bear, which is now Wetherspoons owned.  I spotted the front door and inside there were at least three steps.  Naturally, I thought the disabled access will be around the back.  I did not see any signs referring me to the rear nor upon going towards the back (where there is outdoor seating) I did not spy a door or an obvious sign.

This is also a similar situation in Warminster.  This Wetherspoons is different because I know for sure there is a back entrance, cumbersome and involving a one person lift to lower a few feet.  It is difficult if you're entering alone because the door needs to be opened manually and then the lift only just takes my small scooter.  Negotiating it (before) was a fun experience.  Inside there is a ramped access to the rest of the pub and a disabled toilet tucked away in the corner.

My point, especially with the Warminster outlet, is the front entrance would not have required much alteration and in my opinion (i'm no builder) would be simple to do and within the confines of the entrance, which has an inner door to be opened manually.

The excuse as always will involve planning permission and the fact that some are "listed" buildings, which must maintain a facade unaltered to the original.  Let's face it, the Warminster outlet could have changes made that don't impact on the outward facade because the sloping part would not be seen from the outside.

I have never been in the Old Bear so I don't know the layout, but I have been in quite a few Wetherspoons and I do know the general design of them.

My objection to the "rear entry" approach is a big why?  First and foremost, where's the sign that says go around the back, and secondly why should it be necessary in 2016 and all of the disability access laws (although leaving the EU will give this government the opportunity to erode these rights).

I say why because it makes me feel that I am unworthy and not respected or appreciated enough.  It is a strong statement I know but it is just like apartheid, with a separate entrance for the blacks - in this case the disabled.

Let's not talk about some Wetherspoons that have token arrangements for disabled people, for example one in Swindon and the other in Poole.  Both have a lift to go down/up to the levels and in both establishments  it is completely necessary to traverse to that level in order to access the bar and hence order food.

So, why are they (usually) full up with stuff or in worst case scenario, out of order?   I am VERY lucky in that I use the scooter only for getting around and I can at least walk, and just about, use the stairs.   Once you're inside, both outlets have very helpful staff who are willing to assist you but firstly you need to get inside.

I have been told I need to ask for help, if necessary.  Do other customers need to ask?  No.  So, disabled people are now required to ask for help to access the same facilities as the non-disabled.  For me, this is an immediate turn off.

The get out clause is always, "most disabled have or can have a helper".  I don't and never have.  I have a wife but she's in Thailand and I'm sure she would be willing to help if she was here but why should I rely on her?

A lot of the outlets, for example Weston Super Mare, have tightly packed tables - which is good for business.  However, it usually means a 4-place table is occupied by a one or two person "drinker".  On most occasions at lunchtime (the usual time when you become hungry) I drive in and out due to finding no table free.  On the odd time when I do find a table,  I have no where to park the scooter (which isn't a big one so doesn't require a lot of space).

Then, in some outlets the disabled toilet is situated in a weird place, involving you to weave in and out of the tables, which is tricky when they are occupied.  One outlet required a table's occupants to move so I could open the door and use the toilet.  I'm lucky because I have my own RADAR key, which fits most of the locks in Wetherspoons and other food outlets.  But, why oh why, should you have to "ask" someone for a key - inconvenient if the person you need to see is behind the bar and you're desperate.

All in all, as a disabled person I do my best to adapt to my environment and is mostly achievable, but being seen as a second class citizen by society is harder to overcome.