‘I just wanted a quiet pint’ cries embarrassed double leg amputee after being refused service at The Standing Man pub
A MAN who lost both of his legs was left devastated after being refused a pint at the Standing Man Pub.
Patrick Seery is a regular in the Kilmarnock boozer but said he felt discriminated against after he was refused service.
The 62-year-old claimed a barmaid told him he wasn't allowed to bring his electric scooter inside for insurance purposes according to the Record.
Celtic fan Patrick had gone into the boozer to watch the Old Firm game last Sunday.
Amber Tavern, who operates the Portland Street boozer, have since apologised to Patrick saying it was a "massive misunderstanding."
Patrick told the Record: "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."
The footie fan lost both of his legs seven months ago when an infection in his left leg blocked arteries.
Medics at University Hospital in Hairmyres tried to fit a stent in his leg to help the blood but they were unable to perform the surgery.
His left leg was amputated but Patrick was then told his right leg had the same issue and they would have to amputate it as well.
Patrick's daughter Paula said the treatment was "absolutely disgusting".
She said: "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 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 and the barmaid have since spoken to Patrick and apologised for the incident.
He was offered a free drink but he refused saying "a free pint isn't going to fix how hurt and embarrassed" he felt.
Patrick 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 bar's name is a tribute to Johnnie Walker's 'Striding Man' with their logo strikingly resembling the whisky giant's symbol.
A spokesperson for the Standing Man, operated by Amber Taverns, told the Record: "Unfortuantely 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 and 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.
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"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."