Bar owner refuses to serve the disabled.

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."

Rhu Bar

(01256) 351144 (01256) 357869

(44)(1256) 351144 (44)(1256) 357869

snipped-for-privacy@rhubar.co.uk

::::: Rhubar ::::: The Rhubar - Live Jazz Music Venue.

Rhu Bar owner: Robert Bates

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Licence Number:

Name & Registered Office: RHU BAR LTD