Access Champion

Before the Empire, we had dinner at the Courtyard. Situated next door to the royal court, it is a busy bar, popular with actors and theatre goers alike. The entrance has both steps (to the front) and a ramp (to the left). Inside, its flat and spacious, with booth style tables along the left wall. As the chairs couldn't be moved, we were shown to one that could. Next to our table were stairs leading to the main dining area of the restaurant. Music pumped from the upstairs, making it quiet enough to talk downstairs. The courtyard has no lift, but does have a disabled toilet on the ground floor. Admittedly, its not huge, with just enough room to drive your chair in, position it. The decor is all white, so not great for visually impaired (as contrasting colours help). Outside the loo, there are a few doors to negotiate and avoid bashing as you turn and exit the area for the bar. I did like the anti-bac gel you could spray on your way in/out. The food was slightly delayed due to ...

It's a tale As Old As Time, a song as old as rhyme, Beauty and the Beast! In this new stage adaptation of the classic Disney movie, Emmanuel Kojo plays beast. A handsome man, who, in his youth, was put under a spell after he turned a girl away. He was spellbound to spend eternity as a monster and his staff as crockery and furniture. Only true love can save him and return his handsome looks. Courtney Stapleton plays Belle, a girl who loves to read and learn. Belle lives with her widower father who, when out in the forest, is captured and locked up in the Beasts dungeon. Belle, terrified, offers to swap places with her father. Belle soon realises this isn't just any old Castle, its enchanted. With Mrs Potts, the motherly talking teapot, her son, chip and a whole cast of household items, their plot to break the spell before the last petal on the red rose falls to the ground and they all become inanimate objects. Both Belle and beast are frustrated and stubborn - Belle wants t...

Tesco. With plenty of blue badge spaces available the Bidston Moss Tesco is a large supermarket. The entrance is quite a walk around to the right side of the building, so may not be ideal for those with mobility issues without an aid. The good thing is, it's entirely flat. Bollards distinguish between the road and path. The open doorway led to a very spacious area. It was quite overwhelming to know where to go to find the lift, so we asked a staff member, who verbally directed us. The lift could have been better highlighted and didn't have turning room, but did have braille buttons and a voiceover to announce the floor. The area outside the lift was clear of stock and spacious for turning. Upstairs, the clothing rails were packed into an area, with the Dorothy Perkins and Topshop stock empty, the area cordoned off. There were quite a few structural pillars, and, although I could navigate around them, it might've been easier had the rails been placed aroun...

 The first Thursday in October is National poetry day.  I was inspired to write this after hearing a man with cerabal palsy had to prove his health condition.   It could be you.  It could be you who the terrible accident hits.   it could be you who lies in hospital for weeks, month's on end, losing friends, losing hope.  Gaining a wheelchair and other equipment you had to prove you have the strength and capacity to use.   It could be you whose life is altered  by a diagnosis, having hurtful names hurled at you, being  pitied, refused entry on public transport, buildings.   It could  be  you fighting  for equipment, fighting for support for medication ...  And  being told you're not worth it, you cost too much, your parents shouldn't have 'bred' you.   It could be you applying for jobs, only  for potential employers to dismiss you because all they see is the word 'disabled' and what you can't do, rather ...

All the better to hear you with  Whilst booking an appointment for an ear wax removal at The pharmacy -Bebington, as an afterthought I asked is the pharmacy accessible to wheelchairs?    'Oh, err, no we don't. It's just 2 steps though.' The appointment was cancelled.   Why do businesses assume wheelchairs have the power of flight what I find even more of a despicable act of discrimination, is, this is a chemist! Presumably, many of their customers are ill and disabled people! But no, the main customers can't come in!  Please note The Pharmacy Bebington, I have looked into the cost of ramp for you, and its between £150 and £335 depending on what one you choose.  www.theramppeople.co.uk    Specsavers in Heswall thankfully has heard of the equal opportunities act and had two wheelchair friendly entrances. The one at the front had a few steps, so my mum went inside to ask them to unlock the back door wheelchair entrance we'd been told about.  The...