Disabled man left 'humiliated' after being refused entry to pub for not wearing mask

Aaron White, who is exempt from wearing a face covering because of medical conditions, was turned away from The Cheswold by staff who told him that it was ‘company policy’ not to allow anyone in without a mask.

Mr White, 42, who has barely left his house during lockdown, said the meal for two was a rare treat and he was left shocked and upset.

He said: “They won’t be getting my custom again, that’s for sure.

"I felt totally humiliated and embarrassed. They were asking what was wrong with me and why I couldn’t wear a mask and other people were listening in.”

Aaron, who lives in Bessacarr, booked a table at the Lakeside Brewers Fayre pub online – but it was only on arrival last Thursday night that issues arose.

"The woman at the door asked me if I had got a mask,” he said.

"I told her I was exempt and she told me it was policy not to allow anyone in if they aren’t wearing a mask.

"Legally, she wasn’t allowed to ask me why I wasn’t wearing a mask but she told me I needed written proof from my doctor, which I don’t,

"They then started asking what was wrong with me, which again is against the law.”

Aaron suffers from respiratory problems, has a low oxygen count and asthma and has mobility issues after spinal operations.

He says he also suffers from anxiety and spent lockdown shielding.

He added: “I couldn’t believe it. This has put me back years. I was demonised because I wasn’t wearing a mask. It’s disgusting.”

A spokesman for Brewers Fayre, apologised and said: “Our team at the Cheswold have extended their apologies to the customer for the mis-understanding involved in this situation, which took place on the first day the new government guidelines around the wearing of masks came into force.

"We have ensured that the team in this location have been reminded of the guidance to ensure this does not happen again.”