No room at the (Premier) Inn… if you’re disabled
The story of the Paralympian turned away from a hotel will be familiar to all disabled people, says James Moore. It’s time the hospitality industry realised they have to do more than fly a flag or wear a badge to make us feel welcome
When Ellie Challis, the teenage Paralympic swimmer, and her father arrived late in the evening at their Essex hotel, the pair were ready for bed.
However, despite having a confirmed booking at the Premier Inn in Romford and having checked in, they couldn’t reach their room with Ellie in her wheelchair as the lift was broken.
After a two-hour wait, as staff tried but failed to find other accommodation, the pair realised they had no option but to make a 200-mile journey home to Manchester in the middle of the night.
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