Disabled Customers Shut Out of Pubs

[Blackcats7]

Due to my disabilities I rarely get to go anywhere but last week a friend kindly took me out and afterwards we went for a pub lunch.
When we arrived there were two flights of two steps with no handrail or a ramp. I didn’t want to seem difficult or embarrass my friend but I was wondering how on earth I could get in as I use a rollator (a wheeled walking frame for those not familiar) and the steps were impossible for me. I can manage one step at home but have grab rails to hold on to. With a bit of help from a burly chap on his way out I got in and we had lunch.
Afterwards I asked where the loo was to be told it was down a flight of six stairs and there was no accessible loo at all. My friend got quite cross on my behalf and asked if disabled customers were supposed to pee on the floor.
We had asked to speak to the manager but were told they were not available. The waiter said well we do warn disabled people when they come in that there is no toilet to which I told him this was a) not true as nobody had warned me before I ate and drank and I am visibly disabled b) do they presume they can identify everybody who might require an accessible loo on sight as some disabilities are not visible and c) is it appropriate to be greeting customers by drawing attention to their toilet needs.
I asked how in 2024 a pub has no accessibility whatsoever and was told that the owner knows as there have been complaints before but he doesn’t care.
I had made it clear to the waiter that I was not angry with him personally but as he was representing the establishment I had to speak to him. He understood and accepted this so it was not personally acrimonious.
To get out there were two steps into the back garden which I just about managed although could easily have fallen tbh and then my friend had to move a table and pull back a conifer so I could get out the back gate into the car park.
I have since looked into the owner of this pub and he owns five others locally and has just bought a sixth so he is clearly doing pretty well financially.
It is not a listed building and there is plenty of room front and back which could be used to put in ramps.
I would like to take this matter further because it is terrible that disabled people are shut out like this.
Whilst the law supports accessibility I am struggling to find out who if anyone enforces this. It is not part of licensing conditions. Any ideas on where to turn to please?
The pub has a big sign by the front door saying Dogs Welcome (which is great) and I think they should add another saying Disabled People Are Not Welcome.

*stated not stayed

Honestly you lost me when you asked to speak to a manager about the fact there were steps to the toilets, I mean did you honestly then expect the problem to be solved? Or were you just giving people who work in a pub a mouthful and making their day a little bit harder....

If it was ground floor eating, how did you have to get up 2 flights of stairs? Why didn’t you choose to leave when you realised that? I wouldn’t have put myself through that, why would your friend have been embarrassed? How did you imagine you were going to get out in a case of an emergency?

Depressing how many of these comments basically translate to "How dare you be disabled? And in public, too!"

I had problems accessing a tourist place quite a few years ago. I wrote to the organisation but they weren't interested. So I contacted the Equalities Commission who were brilliant and supported me through bringing a case against them. At mediation the organisation folded and agreed to changes to make their service accessible. The commission kept an eye on them to make sure they did it.

www.equalityhumanrights.com/

That is excellent work. Well done.

I really don't like the tone of some comments here, shifting the blame to the OP and her friend.

As I had written it was two flights of two steps. I thought I could get out because the building is on a slight slope and the chap helping me said the back way was easier coming down which indeed it turned out to be although still not easy.
I am not someone who likes to put anybody out when they are being kind so I went with the flow.
The whole point of my issue and my actual question has been turned from a pub owner who is perfectly able to provide better access but chooses not to do so and therefore who to contact about the law which clearly says the owner has a duty to make reasonable adjustments into the whole thing apparently being my fault and even more strangely my friend’s fault for not checking the building admitted disabled people and for trying to do my best to cope.
But that’s MN for you once a crowd decides to turn.

But that doesn't answer that you put My friend had no idea that a pub with ground floor eating and bar would not be accessible
Where does the 2 flights of steps come in as the only access point to somewhere ground floor?

Two steps up to the door and two more inside? It's not that hard to imagine.

Actually the comments are don't give your business to pubs that discrimination against you.

Over the years I have had friends refuse to go into pubs for other reasons. That was enough to stop me frequenting them as well. Some have closed down.

A lot of pubs can’t be further adapted due to the nature of their buildings, for others sadly cost is probably a factor and they have to weigh up what is reasonable for them to be able to do.

As the mother of a disabled child it’s like most trips out and it needs planning with military precision! It just becomes part of life to always have to thing 5 steps ahead

Ah I only noticed the bit re two flights of steps and assumed the OP had meant the common usage of 'flight of steps' which would have been 2x13 so 26 in total, not 2x2!