Campaign launched to help disabled pub-lovers

A disabled pub-lover has launched a campaign to help people identify pubs with suitable access and toilet facilities for wheelchair-users.

Mark Cooper, a member of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), is initially aiming to improve the situation for disabled pub-goers in Edinburgh with his campaign "Barred!"

He then plans to lobby the Scottish government on the issue - and produce a national "good pub guide" on pubs that are wheelchair-friendly.

Mark has the support of MSP George Faulkes and Edinburgh Council has agreed to draw up a list of city pubs with disabled toilets and access.

"I would think that as a service provider, pubs would not want to bar me from using their service by not having proper facilities," he said. "Like everyone else after a few pints, I have to go."

Mark dreamt up the campaign after an incident where he was in a pub with disabled access, but no disabled toilet - meaning he was forced to go 200 yards up the road to another pub.

He stressed that any list must include pubs that have suitable access and disabled toilets, not just one or the other.

But he added: "I'm a great supporter of pubs and I'm conscious of the fact that having proper disabled facilities could be expensive for pubs and some can't afford it." Mark has also set up a Facebook group for the campaign, which has already attracted nearly 700 members in its first week.

Edinburgh Council has also agreed to write to licensees in the city reminding them of their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said pubs had to be "available to everyone". He added that pubs had "worked with local authorities to come up with ideas that were practical and reasonable".

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 means licensee must not discriminate against disabled customers. This covers many areas, including ensuring all parts of the pub are accessible to someone with disabilities. For more information visit: www.direct.gov.uk​