A 21-year-old woman says she has been discriminated against after being refused access to a bar due to her medical condition, which means she cannot get a driving licence. Cerys Fletcher showed a valid UK ID when she turned up at the bar with friends, but was told it was not acceptable.
Cerys cannot hold a driving licence because she has epilepsy, so she carries a Validate UK ID card. The bar says Cerys’s party was informed of its ID policy when they booked the table — and paid £90 for a deposit. The group will get a full refund, reports MEN.
Cerys said: “I have had problems like this in the past, but not as disgusting as this. I told him that this was discrimination. I cannot get it out of my head.”
When the party arrived for a 21st birthday celebration at 6:40pm on January 1, the doorman asked for ID. Cerys said: "I handed him my ID and he glanced at it, and he said we do not accept this. He said it’s not a legal ID.
“I’ve got my bank cards out and a bright yellow slip of paper. That says I’m epileptic with my name and date of birth on. He still would not accept it.”
A spokesperson for Peaky Blinders bar on Peter Street, Manchester, said: “In line with the conditions on our premises licence, Peaky Blinders operates a challenge 25 policy, which requires patrons who look under the age of 25 to produce valid photographic ID. Our licence also states that no children (under 18s) are permitted on site after 7pm.
“The booking in question was for a 21st birthday at 7pm, as such, all members attending were required to produce valid photographic ID to gain entry to the premises. Some members of the group in question couldn’t provide valid ID and have therefore been denied entry to the venue.
“This is stated clearly on the bookings page of our website, 'no children allowed in the venue after 7pm', and outlined in our booking T&Cs, which must be accepted, in order to pay the deposit.
“We have since been in touch with the lead booker who has explained to us that she missed these policies when booking. We have also provided them with a full refund.”
The company that produced Cerys' card, Validate UK, ceased trading in 2021. However, CitizenCard, the de facto replacement for Validate UK has confirmed that previously issued cards remain valid. That's provided they contain a PASS hologram which is not damaged, which Cerys' card does.
