Pub giant JD Wetherspoons has been compelled to pay substantial compensation and publicly apologise after staff at one of its Bristol establishments refused service to an autistic man and his carer in what campaigners are calling a landmark disability discrimination case.
The incident occurred at The Commercial Rooms on Corn Street, where 24-year-old Ben Tuckwell and his support worker were denied alcohol service despite the carer clearly explaining they were following approved guidelines for supporting individuals with autism.
The Confrontation That Sparked Legal Action
According to court documents, the situation escalated quickly when staff insisted the pair couldn't be served because the support worker was "making the customer anxious" - a claim that directly contradicted the carer's professional role and the established support plan.
"The refusal was not only humiliating but demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of autism and the vital role support workers play," stated a spokesperson from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which supported the case.
A Victory for Disability Rights
In a significant ruling, Wetherspoons was ordered to pay £3,500 in damages for injury to feelings and has been required to implement comprehensive disability awareness training across its workforce.
The case sets an important precedent for how hospitality venues must accommodate customers with invisible disabilities and recognise the legitimacy of support workers.
Broader Implications for UK Hospitality
Legal experts suggest this ruling should serve as a wake-up call to the entire hospitality industry. Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled customers, including those with non-visible conditions like autism.
Ben's mother, Sarah Tuckwell, expressed relief at the outcome but highlighted the emotional toll: "No family should have to go through this when simply trying to enjoy a quiet drink. We hope this case makes pubs and restaurants think twice about how they treat disabled customers."
Wetherspoons has since issued a formal apology and confirmed it has updated its staff training protocols to prevent similar incidents occurring across its 800-strong pub portfolio.
