A disabled woman has vowed never to return to Perth’s oldest chip shop, after claiming she was told she could not eat there and was sworn at by an employee.
Dawn Bryant, 48, of Burrelton, told The Courier she was left in tears and feels she was discriminated against.
She says an employee of Holdgates Fish and Chip Shop on South Street told her she would have to leave her motorised wheelchair outside the premises if she wanted to eat her tea in the seated area at the back of the building.
The incident took place at about 5.35pm on Tuesday and “soured” a visit to the Perth eatery which first opened its doors in 1901 for Glasgow-based law student Michael Bannister, 35.
Miss Bryant said she went to the chip shop with her son Jayden, six, after visiting it several times previously but was shocked to be asked to leave her wheelchair outside because it was too big.
“I haven’t been disabled long and didn’t have my crutches with me so I couldn’t leave the wheelchair outside,” she said.
“A staff member said this was because of health and safety but I feel this was discrimination. I came out of the shop in tears and my son was asking why I had been asked to leave it was disgusting.
“I will never go back there again.”
Miss Bryant said she then posted a message on Facebook about the incident and has since been offered a free meal from Holdgates an offer she refused.
Mr Bannister, who saw one of Miss Bryant’s daughters, Michelle, complain to chip shop staff, said: “I heard the staff member swear at the daughter and say, ‘I don’t make the rules.’
“I feel this was discrimination. I had my kids with me but it soured our visit to the chip shop.”
The owner of Holdgates, who did not wish to be named, claimed his employee did not swear at the woman and stated he is being forced to sell the business due to a concerted campaign of abuse.
“Our shop caters for most disabled people and our staff are really good with them but they are not required to look after disabled people. We do our utmost to accommodate them, however, and have disabled parking bays outside.
“I’ve upgraded the shop and want customers to come here but I’m sick of all the lies being posted on Facebook.”