A disabled man who claims he was asked to leave a Chester nightclub because his wheelchair was causing a safety hazard says he is the victim of ‘shocking’ discrimination.

Nate Williams, who has a form of cerebral palsy which affects his balance and co-ordination, had visited Rosies with friends last Friday night in his wheelchair which he occasionally uses to aid his weak muscles, especially when visiting places and walking long distances.

When he arrived at the club, he was told by bouncers that the first floor would shortly be closing and that when it did, he would be asked to leave because the upstairs floors were not wheelchair friendly and the building had no lift or ramp facility.

Nate, from Ellesmere Port, was offered free entry until it was time for the floor to close, at which time he says a bouncer tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to leave the premises, despite him protesting that he could walk upstairs with the help of a friend.

Rosies nightclub in Northgate Street, Chester

The 23-year-old told The Chronicle: “I have been on many nights out across the country and I’ve never been treated with such disrespect as when I went to Rosies on Friday.

“I’ve been using a wheelchair since I was 12. I’m very active and compete regularly in athletics but they asked me to leave because I was a ‘safety hazard’ even though I had the full ability to walk upstairs and look after myself.

“I have been to Rosies before and getting into the club is not very practical - escorted by a bouncer through a back alley, past rotten smelling bins and through two heavy fire-exit doors - but I didn’t mind as long as I was allowed in with my friends.

“What I didn’t appreciate was the way I was kicked out and not allowed to join my friends upstairs on the top floor,” he explained. “A ‘hazard’ is defined as a danger to others and this made me feel like an inhuman creature that should not be part of society.

“If I had no possible way of getting around the club by myself, I’d completely understand their point of view. But I proved to them how mobile I was and they still turned me away.

“It was the biggest example of discrimination I have faced in my entire life and it shouldn’t have happened,” added Nate, who said he left respectfully as he didn’t want to ruin his friend’s birthday by getting the whole group thrown out.

“I’m not trying to dissuade people from Rosies. It’s a great place to have a night out but I’m just trying to point out the way they handled this situation is ignorant and disrespectful.”

A spokeswoman for Rosies said the safety of their customers was always a top priority.

“Complimentary entry was permitted through a private door to our ‘first’ floor area to enable the young man who was in a wheelchair to enjoy some time with his friends in our club,” the spokesperson explained.

“The group were advised that this was the only area suitable for a wheelchair and that this area of the club would close around 12.30am.

“As customers then moved to the second floor the gentleman concerned expressed his displeasure when being asked to leave.

“The safety of our customers is paramount and given the building is listed and has no lift, or emergency ramp facilities, for the safety of the customer concerned, and our other guests, he was respectfully asked to leave at the time advised upon entry.”

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