Robert Bates and discrimination against the disabled in Basingstoke.
Nomen Nescio
Rhu Bar
21 London Street
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG21 7NT
United Kingdom
(01256) 351144
(01256) 357869
(44)(1256) 351144
(44)(1256) 357869
::::: Rhubar :::::
The Rhubar - Live Jazz Music Venue.
Rhu Bar owners:
Robert Bates
Alison Bates
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Licence Number:
05/00591/PREMC
Name & Registered Office:
RHU BAR LTD
130 HIGH STREET
HUNGERFORD
BERKSHIRE RG17 0DL
UNITED KINGDOM
Company No. 03855839
[Basingstoke Observer, March 22, 2007]
A Basingstoke bar owner has defended his amazing decision
to ban disabled customers from his venue in the evening
after instructing bouncers to turn away anyone on crutches
or in a wheelchair. Rhu Bar boss Rob Bates says the
disabled are not welcome in his venue on Thursday, Friday,
Saturday and Sunday nights after 8pm, because he doesn't
have the facilities to cater for them - and his regulars
can't have a 'groove' with a wheelchair in the way.
Observer reader Cliff Oxlade and a group of his friends
fell foul of the Rhu Bar's new policy on Friday, March 1.
Cliff's partner, who was temporarily using crutches after
knee surgery, was barred from the venue by a bouncer with
the words "no crutches." Cliff said: "When challenged he
simply advised that he had been advised that 'no crutches
are allowed' and refused to give any further explanation.
At the time we were all very angry at the abruptness and
the lack of any explanation from the bouncer, but I guess
they're not employed for their customer service skills.
All four of us have vowed not to return to the Rhu Bar and
many other friends have also expressed their dismay at the
Rhu Bar's attitude."
To find out for myself if the ban was real, I borrowed a
pair of crutches and a Medi fixed walker to give me an
authentic 'broken ankle' and hobbled my way up to the
popular music venue on London Road. But despite pleading
my case, the bouncer on the door told me firmly: "sorry pal
- no crutches. It's the manager's discretion and he won't
let you in."
According to Rob Bates, he isn't discriminating against
the disabled because he wants to - he just has no choice.
The Rhu Bar boss claims his nightspot is too small, too old
and on too many levels to be modified to be
disabled-friendly. "Why would somebody in a wheelchair
want to come into my bar when it's a dance bar, a groove
bar?" he said. "When I built this business I did not have
to cater for disabled people because they weren't coming
out, and they don't come out much now. My business is my
regulars who have supported me for the last seven years,
not the disabled society. They are not paying my bills,
they come in and have one orange juice. My regulars want
to have a groove and they can't with a wheelchair in the
way."
That excuse doesn't satisfy Alison Rose, a spokesperson
for the Disability Rights Commission. She said: "Under
the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), people have the
right to be treated fairly when using a service, whether
it's a swimming pool, a shop or a café. To just say 'you
can't come in' is not a reasonable excuse. Every business
in the country should be aware of the changes they need to
make under the DDA and undertake an Access Audit to see
how they can improve access."
As a last resort, the Disability Rights Commission will
help people take court action against businesses they feel
are discriminating against them, but Rob Bates remains
defiant. "The law states I don't have to let anybody in
I don't want to," he said. "If somebody comes in with a
wheelchair it takes up the space of two other people. What
happens if they fall down the stairs? They are going to
sue me! If this was a big venue I would be able to
accommodate them, but I can't. There are other places for
them to go for a night out with disabled facilities, such
as Chicago's or Yates's Wine Lodge."
http://www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk/news.aspx?id=193
http://www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk/news.aspx?id=194