Licensees 'upset' by local newspaper criticism

Publicans Chris and Isabella Hartwell have been 'greatly upset' by criticism of their decision to ask a carer to calm down a disabled customer.

Regulars at the Flowing Well pub in Banbury have rallied round the Hartwells after the local paper published an article criticising the pub's approach.

The customer, mentally handicapped wheelchair user Nicholas Berlouis, went to the Flowing Well pub in Banbury for lunch with a carer. When he began move noisily around the pub, staff asked carer Paul Kovacs to keep him under control.

Mr Kovacs told the local newspaper: "We just felt very unwelcome. There was an outburst and the landlord told us we would have to be quiet because people were eating. But this was before I had the chance to calm Nicholas down."

The pub was later visited by the manager of the residential centre where Mr Berlouis lives. Mrs Hartwell said: "I was asked outright if we were refusing to serve this man, which was greatly upsetting. That isn't what this pub is about at all."

The pub regularly welcomes disabled customers, including wheelchair users and a local deaf group.

"This isn't a question of discrimination, it's the same approach we'd take with any customer who was a danger to themselves or others.

"It was never our attention to offend anybody. One good thing is that our regulars have been very supportive."

Mrs Hartwell said the situation showed the problems the trade faces in complying with disability legislation. "I'm sure we're not the only pub that has been through this."