B&Q accused of not caring for disabled customers
Published: 3 April 2017 - Jenny Wonnacott
A B&Q branch in Worthing has said sorry to a disabled customer after she accused the retailer of discrimination after having repeated issues with parking at the store.
Michelle Riddy took to Facebook to complain about blocked disabled parking bays at her local B&Q
Worthing-based Michelle Riddy told local press how she has repeatedly found the disabled bays at the store filled with trolleys, large stock items and cages. She recently went shopping for sandpaper at the store only to find the bays filled once again. She said: “I was so frustrated and annoyed. It's like they think disabled people can't do DIY.”
Mrs Riddy took photos of the bays and complained to B&Q via Facebook, saying: “Great job caring about disabled customers yet again at Worthing B&Q! It's disgusting how almost all the disabled bays are always blocked by trolleys and sales stock … I've complained to the manager more times than I can count, to no effect – but then I'm disabled and you are clearly showing your utter disregard for us so of course my complaints to the manager apparently don't matter. Sort it out, B&Q!”
A B&Q spokesperson then responded by saying that the store's website pointed out this particular branch only had five disabled bays found around the left side of the store, which are “fully available and not blocked” and that the store's staff had “been given permission from head office to use the other spaces … which will no longer be classes as disabled spaces anymore, and the disabled signs will be getting removed.”
The retailer added that the store manager had said staff was “more than happy to help all customers to their vehicles if needed.”
Mrs Riddy then responded by disputing the five spaces allegedly available to the left of the store. “There is one if you are lucky,” she said, adding: “What use is any offer of help if we can't open the doors far enough to get out in the first place?”
Meanwhile, other customers with disabilities have responded, with one pointing out that they have “stood at checkout for half an hour waiting for [a member of staff] to lift something for me.”
According to the Worthing Herald, B&Q has since apologised for the misuse of the parking bays outside the store and have said: “We can confirm that we have restored these spaces for use by disabled customers and will ensure the issue does not happen again.”