Responses to Feedback on Disabled Access

Further to my earlier blog post, on Saturday (17th May) I sent feedback to the three companies that we couldn't access due to having the wheelchair as well as positive feedback to Pizza Express, which had excellent access.  Of these, Cath Kidston came back to me within 24 hours with a personal holding email and I got an automated reply from Zizzi almost immediately. Didn't get anything from Prezzo until yesterday (21st) but it was a personal one.  The more detailed Cath Kidston one came on the 20th.

The gist of the Cath Kidston response was fairly expected in that the buildings in Chichester are old and often listed, so it's limited in what physical adjustments can be made; they've already enquired about a ramp and it's just not feasible.  However, there's supposed to be a member of staff at the front of the store who can help in these situations by bringing out items that the customer wants to look at, go through brochures and take payment. There's supposed to be a sign to this effect as well. Well, we didn't see one and there was no member of staff - but we may have somehow missed these. At least they've thought about it and have a policy, even though it's a bit disappointing in that, if a wheelchair user (or someone with a buggy etc) wants to browse the store, it's not possible.

The Prezzo one focused on the poor level of customer service provided by the staff - someone should have come to help us. They are going to review their training as well as disabled access to the restaurant.  All good words, so I hope they follow through with this. I've also been offered some vouchers to eat there but if I can't get into the restaurant, I don't see how I will use them! They've given me a number to ring though to book it, so maybe this can be resolved at the time, should we take them up on the offer.

Nothing from Zizzi yet though, apart from the automated response so we shall see about that, hopefully soon! Four working days and counting... not sure how good that is really.  And nothing from Pizza Express; even though it was positive feedback, I was hoping for a 'thank you'!  Ah well.

Disabled Access

We had an interesting day yesterday with accessing - or rather, not accessing - premises in Chichester with the wheelchair. I had a bone scan at the hospital and needed to go in for 15 minutes for an injection, then wait a couple of hours for it to take effect and then go back for the scan. So we thought a spot of lunch in town would be nice as there was no point in going home then turning around almost straight away to return to the hospital.

First up, we tried Zizzi's. Couldn't get in due to a big step up. No signs to say what to do, no staff members paying any attention to help or give advice and husband didn't want to strand me on the pavement alone whilst he went to search for someone. Next up, Prezzo. No step, but massive, heavy doors. Some lovely members of the public tried to help but it was too narrow for the wheelchair to fit through.  Again, no staff came to help despite the kerfuffle, no information to say what we could do and so once again, we gave up.

 

Step to get into Zizzi's is larger than it seems!

Narrow door - possibly it's a listed building but
why not some instructions about how a wheelchair
could get in round the back or something?

Finally, Pizza Express. Lovely wide doors, flat surface to get into the restaurant, spacious layout once inside and a nice, new, tasty menu.  So we went there.

Well done Pizza Express!

I also wanted to pop into Cath Kidston, but there was a step to get into there too so didn't bother. Anyway, I think there are steps inside the shop plus it's pretty cluttered so, even if we had managed to get in, it would have been a faff to browse.

I don't get it. I thought that it was the law that places like shops and restaurants had to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people to access their premises so as not to be disadvantaged due to the disability. Or maybe I have misinterpreted it and not being able to eat or shop somewhere doesn't count as a disadvantage? But it's like these big chains, which I thought should know better and would want as much revenue as possible from all customers (hello capitalism!), just haven't bothered. A sign or some sort of attention button would work surely and wouldn't cost much? I feel lucky in a way, as I hope the wheelchair is temporary for me - but for loads of others, it isn't. I don't think it's good enough. So I have sent feedback to all four places (obviously positive in the case of Pizza Express).  It will be interesting to see any response, I think...

At least accessing our garden for a lovely barbecue is easy so hurrah for that!

A Happy Easter Post

The last couple of posts have been a little doom and gloom so I thought I would post about the brilliant Easter weekend we had!

Good Friday was fab in that we were able to go to a good friend's house for a meal and catch-up over a few drinks.  It's still slightly nerve-wracking to go somewhere 'new', as we never know how easy it will be to get into somewhere - whether the wheelchair will fit, if there are unexpected steps or if they're too high for me to step over, if there is suitable parking etc etc. But we measured everything and it seemed fine until we discovered I measured the wheelchair wrong!  Luckily we figured it all out so I could use the walker to access her house and actually, this was a brilliant lesson in that, even if it goes a little wrong, we can still manage to resolve it with a little thought and teamwork! A great time was had by all.

The next day we had our first barbecue of the year at home, which is always a favourite of mine, especially when it's combined with several of my oldest and dearest friends and family! This was the first time since I have been back that I have sat in our garden and it was easy to get there and wonderful to be there.  The weather was okay; I'd say typical British BBQ weather (I won't mention getting out the blankets and cardigans...). It was such a treat to be outside with everyone, enjoying gorgeous food, drink and company.

Easter Day was brilliant too.  Loads of chocolate and my mum and sister came over for a meal cooked by my mum.  The weather was appalling so we did an Easter egg hunt in the house, which worked quite well.  So well that we keep finding them now!

Yum!

And finally, Easter Monday we chilled and got everything ready for back to school for the girls, and back to work for my husband. I've been signed off work for a month to recuperate, so I didn't have anything to get ready.

So despite the setbacks and busy, annoying week early last week, it was redeemed by a fantastic weekend, thanks to my friends and family.

A Lady who Lunches

Having been shown how to get in and out of the car the other day, I must confess that so far, we hadn't put that knowledge to the test. Not really sure why. We're tired but there is also an element of worry, that wherever we go won't be accessible for the wheelchair - either in terms of access or that it will be too crowded and we will crash into people.  

However, we figured that today was the day that we would just do it. We phoned the restaurant in advance to book a table and said that I was in a wheelchair - it wasn't a problem (as it shouldn't be, of course).  Totally forgot that the carers were coming at lunchtime so that was a happy surprise, as they were able to help get me in the car too! It was a lot easier than I expected so hurrah for that. The journey was fine too, although it was only about 10 minutes.

Interestingly, it was a little tricky to get into the restaurant itself. The dropped kerbs were badly maintained and bumpy making them hard to get over, and there was a massive sign in the way that we had to maneouver around. I am tempted to send a complaint feedback... But once we were in, it was fine!

Our lunch venue - yum!

The meal was delicious, the girls were beautifully behaved and we had a wonderful time. It's so good to know that we can do it as a family and I look forward to many such outings in the near future!