Disabled woman told to know her place and "stay out".

[Basingstoke Observer, March 29, 2007]

A DISABLED borough councillor has organised a peaceful
demonstration outside a beleaguered Top of the Town bar
in a bid to bring an end to its controversial night-time
ban on crutches and wheelchairs.

Popley West councillor Jane Frankum - an arthirits
sufferer who walks with the aid of a cane - wants
volunteers to help her picket the Rhu Bar tomorrow
(Friday, March 30).

Her plea for action follows the Observer's exclusive
revelations that Rhu Bar boss Robert Bates has ordered
doorman not to allow anyone in a wheelchair or on crutches
into the 'groove' venue after 8pm.

The bar owner told the Observer: "Why would somebody in a
wheelchair want to come into my bar when it's a dance bar,
a groove bar? They are not paying my bills, they come in
and have one orange juice!"

The disabled ban has brought a torrent of criticism from
visitors to the Observer website at
www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk Cllr Frankum told the
Observer: "Disabled people still like music and to have a
dance! Just because you're disabled, does that make you a
second-class citizen? I want as many people as possible
to protest peacefully outside the Rhu Bar on Friday at 8pm."

Chronic arthritis sufferer Alfie Wright has every reason
to join the councillor's demo. Alfie relies on crutches to
walk - and was barred from the Rhu Bar when she was hoping
to celebrate her birthday! Alfie, 34, was turned away by
bouncers because, she says, there are no disabled toilet
facilities in the bar. She said: "They cannot discriminate
like this, to say that we only go in and drink orange juice
is rubbish. I have sat and thought about what happened to
me, which was really embarrassing. Mr Bates would
certainly not be allowed to say no black people or no white
people can get into his bar!"

The bar boss this week claimed making the venue
disability-friendly would cost him over £30,000.

Council Chief Executive Gordon Holdcroft said: "Under the
Disability Discrimination Act it is unlawful for pubs and
clubs to refuse to serve disabled people or offer a less
favourable service without good justification. FThe
council's Access Officer has written to Mr Bates with an
offer to provide guidance on access for the disabled."




http://www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk/news.aspx?id=193




http://www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk/news.aspx?id=194




http://www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk/news.aspx?id=255




http://www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk/news.aspx?id=294




Rhu Bar
21 London Street
Basingstoke
Hampshire
United Kingdom
RG21 7NT


(01256) 351144
(01256) 357869

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


jazz@rhubar.co.uk


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

www.rhubar.co.uk

www.rhubar.com


Rhu Bar owner:
Robert 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