‘I was kicked out of bar because of my wheelchair’

I was kicked out of bar because of my wheelchair

An 18-year-old woman from Oldham, Maddie Haining, recounted her experience of being asked to leave a nightclub after the bar manager claimed her wheelchair created a safety risk. The incident occurred on Saturday night at Club Tropicana in Manchester’s Gay Village, where she was removed within minutes of entering with a friend.

“It’s not okay to be removed from bars because you are disabled and different from others. If they can be in there, why shouldn’t we?”

Maddie shared a video on Instagram detailing the confrontation. She explained that security personnel had initially allowed her and her companion to stay, even lifting her wheelchair into the venue. However, when her friend left to get a drink, staff returned with a new directive to eject her.

When Maddie requested to speak with the manager, he was described as “horribly rude” throughout their exchange. She challenged him, asking, “How was I a safety risk?” and noted that the staff had not explained the reason for her removal. The manager’s argument shifted to a “fire risk,” which Maddie countered by showing the 2010 Equality Act on her phone.

“You can’t make me leave because I’m in a wheelchair – this is discrimination,” she said, emphasizing that the club should have accommodated her with inclusive evacuation plans.

Club Tropicana stated in a response that an investigation is ongoing, and they had not been directly contacted by Maddie. The Manchester City Council confirmed it is reviewing the situation following her complaint to its licensing committee.

The 2010 Equality Act mandates that venues must make reasonable adjustments for disabled individuals. This includes measures like ramps and evacuation plans designed to ensure accessibility. Refusing entry based on disability is considered a breach of these provisions.

Maddie mentioned that the manager threatened to assign any fines the club incurred to her. She eventually left the premises but sought staff names and contact details to file a formal complaint. She described the event as “embarrassing” and “infuriating,” highlighting her awareness of her rights after nearly five years of living with a disability.