I was kicked out of bar because of my wheelchair
A young woman’s experience highlights disability discrimination in public spaces
An 18-year-old from Oldham was asked to leave a Manchester nightclub after being told her wheelchair posed a safety concern. The incident occurred at Club Tropicana in the city’s Gay Village on Saturday night, during which she and a companion were removed from the premises within minutes of arrival.
Maddie Haining shared the event on Instagram, recounting the confrontation with staff. “It’s not okay to be removed from bars because you are disabled and different to other people,” she said, emphasizing her belief that wheelchair users should not be excluded simply for their mobility aids.
“If they can be in there then why shouldn’t we,” Maddie added, challenging the staff’s reasoning. She insisted the manager should have acknowledged her right to stay, as the venue had initially allowed her entry without issue.
Upon her friend leaving to get a drink, security staff returned and informed Maddie they were “really sorry” but had been instructed to ask her to leave. When she requested to speak with the manager, he arrived and was described as “horribly rude” throughout the exchange.
“I asked ‘how was I a safety risk?’ If I was a safety risk they wouldn’t have let me in in the first place,” she said. The manager failed to provide a clear explanation, shifting the reason to a “fire risk” later in the conversation.
Maddie used her phone to display the 2010 Equality Act, arguing that wheelchair users cannot be removed from venues over fire concerns without inclusive evacuation plans. “You can’t make me leave because I’m in a wheelchair – this is discrimination,” she asserted, but the manager remained unmoved.
Club’s response and ongoing inquiry
Club Tropicana stated that an investigation is underway, noting they had not been directly contacted by Maddie but were aware of the incident. Manchester City Council confirmed it is reviewing the matter following her complaint to its licensing committee.
Under the Equality Act, venues are legally obligated to provide reasonable adjustments for disabled individuals. This includes features like ramps and other accommodations that ensure accessibility without undue burden. Refusing entry due to disability is considered discriminatory, potentially violating the act’s provisions.
Aftermath and Maddie’s reflection
Though Maddie eventually chose to leave, she requested the names and contact details of staff to pursue a formal complaint. “The whole thing was really embarrassing,” she said. “I was in a bar with my friends and kept getting security sent over.” She added that being disabled for nearly five years had equipped her with knowledge of her rights, yet this was the first time she faced such treatment.
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