Double leg amputee devastated after The Standing Man pub refuse him a pint

A double leg amputee said he was left devastated after being refused a pint in The Standing Man pub.

Patrick Seery, a regular in the Kilmarnock town centre boozer, says he was left feeling discriminated against after he was told he wouldn't be served until he left his electronic scooter outside.

The 62-year-old claims a barmaid told him his mobility scooter wasn't permitted inside the premises for insurance purposes.

Amber Tavern bosses, who operate The Standing Man, branded the incident an a 'massive misunderstanding' and apologised to Patrick.

Celtic fan Patrick was in the Portland Street boozer to watch the Old Firm game on Sunday when the incident took place.

Patrick told Ayrshire Live: "I'm at The Standing Man regularly to watch the football, all the staff know me well.

"On Sunday, I went in to get a pint. The barmaid said to me she couldn't serve me unless I left my mobility scooter outside and then came back in which is obviously impossible as I can't walk.

"All the staff know about my situation so for her to say that in front of a bar full of people is upsetting me and I was also embarrassed.

"I just wanted a quiet pint to watch the football."

Patrick lost both of his legs seven months ago after he had an infection in his left leg which blocked the arteries.

He had an appointment at University Hospital Hairmyres where medics tried to fit a stent in his leg to get the blood flowing but he was told by experts that unfortunately they couldn't do the surgery.

Following an amputation of his left leg, Patrick was told that his right leg had the same issue and unfortunately they had to amputate that one above the knee too.

Patrick's daughter Paula added: "When my dad told me about the incident I was upset and angry. The past seven months have been really hard on my family especially on my dad with him losing both his legs and in January he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

"Things are already hard enough on him without people adding to it. He's still really hurt and upset over this. The pub is equipped for disabled people. It has a ramp and a disabled toilet so for my dad to be treated this way is absolutely disgusting."

The area manager has since spoken to Paul and has apologised.

Patrick was also offered a free drink which he refused as "a free pint isn't going to fix how hurt and embarrassed," he felt.

He added: "I wasn't forced to leave the pub by the barmaid but I left after the incident because how could I sit in that bar after what had just happened?"

The Kilmarnock bar's name is a tribute to whisky giant Johnnie Walker's 'Striding Man' slogan famous across the globe.

The pub's logo – a man with a cane, top-hat and tails – also bears a striking resemblance to the renowned Johnnie Walker symbol.

A spokesperson for the Standing Man, operated by Amber Taverns, said: "Unfortunately this has been a massive misunderstanding which the staff member at hand is extremely embarrassed and sorry for causing any upset to this particular customer.

"This incident has been dealt with in house with the staff member and all other employees will be going through a refresher course in disability awareness due to this mistake.

"We take what happened very seriously, with the power of Facebook there have been some allegations that are and aren’t true.

"I have spoken to the family and customer in question who have all accepted the apology very graciously.

"We like to think of ourselves as a local pub even though being involved In a chain the staff and I are very passionate about helping out numerous charities so this is something that has definitely hit home for all of us.

"The customer in particular has been asked to give us another try and has agreed, so we hope everyone hearing this will be as forgiving as the customer involved and give us another chance to show we are a fantastic pub with amazing staff right in the heart of Kilmarnock."

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