Lynne Chick asked if she and her daughter Emily could be sat in a quieter area of the pub where they were hoping to enjoy a carvery for lunch
A UK pub chain has issued an apology after a Welsh mum and her autistic daughter were told a pub was not “suitable” for them after they requested a quieter seating area. Radio broadcaster Lynne Chick, 52, from Connah’s Quay, visited The Running Hare in Ewloe, Flintshire last Saturday with her 13-year-old autistic daughter, Emily.
They had planned to enjoy a carvery for lunch. Lynne explained she “politely” asked whether they could be seated at a table for two in a calmer section of the pub, away from a play area.
However, Lynne claims she was informed they would need to be turned away as staff “didn’t think it would be suitable for her”. Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter.
The venue forms part of the Marston’s group, which has since apologised to the family for the incident. They said the pub is “intended to be an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone” and would learn from what happened. They pledged to “reinforce guidance” to “ensure that every guest feels comfortable, supported and valued”.
Lynne is determined to raise awareness about the incident to encourage venues to take inclusion more seriously, reports North Wales Live.
Describing what happened, she said: “On Saturday, my autistic daughter and I were turned away from The Running Hare Restaurant and Pub after I politely asked if there was possibly a quieter (away from the play area) area available for a table of two.
“What followed was shocking. I was told – in front of my autistic daughter – that they were ‘going to have to turn us away because they didn’t think it would be suitable for her’.
“Not because of behaviour, not because of safety but because they decided that their venue was ‘not suitable’ at that time for my autistic child.
“The seating capacity is apparently 180, the place was virtually empty. That is not acceptable. That is not inclusive. And that is not how disabled people – or their families – should ever be treated.”
The member of staff explained that two large groups were expected to arrive.
Lynne continued: “They couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t be noisy after I explained my daughter’s sensory issues but we were simply asking for two carveries and would have been in and out well within that time, I did explain I had ear defenders with me for her, and simply would prefer to sit away from the children’s area.
“More importantly, venues do not get a free pass to exclude disabled people. Inclusion is not optional when it’s convenient. Autistic people have the right to exist in public spaces.
“They have the right to eat out, they have the right to dignity.
“And parents should never be made to feel their child to a problem simply for being autistic – especially in front of them.”
Quoting Chris Packham’s “When you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism,” Lynne emphasised the individuality of autistic children.
She explained how Emily encounters particular triggers involving sound, smell, and texture, which can result in episodes of screaming, head-banging, and self-harm. Emily is also selectively mute and occasionally requires a wheelchair owing to mobility difficulties.
Lynne is hopeful that sharing her story will heighten awareness and foster greater understanding of the varied requirements of autistic people.
She also thanked Joe Edwards and the team at The Pen Y Bont Farm where they went after the incident. She said: “The Pen Y Bont are the perfect example of inclusion.”
An email to Lynne from Marston’s stated: “I’m truly sorry for the experience you and your daughter had, no guest should ever feel excluded, and I understand how upsetting this must have been, especially given the impact it had on your daughter in the moment.”
A spokesperson for Marston’s said: “We never want any guest to feel unwelcome in our pub, and we’re truly sorry about Lynne and her daughter’s experience.
“Our pub is intended to be an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone, and we take all feedback seriously.
“This has prompted important learning for our team, and we have reinforced guidance to ensure that every guest feels comfortable, supported and valued when they visit us.”
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