To be peed off they put food stalls on all the disabled parking?

[Poolnoodlepoodle]

My dd has a blue badge as she can't walk very far (only about 10 meters max on a wonky gait). She has swimming lessons at a pool at a hotel about 10 mins from us. Usually we can park in the disabled parking and go in no problem (rest of the car park is kind of elevated so it's a blooming pain to use non disabled spaces). But now the hotel have put food stalls over ALL the disabled parking. They told me I could just park in the fire lane which is really narrow. Luckily we're still using a pushchair in the boot so I could manage but if I'd needed an extra wide space for a wheelchair I'd be stuffed. AIBU to think it's really bad they've just done away with all thier disabled parking with no proper alternative?!?

Was this for a temporary event or a permanent thing? They're obliged to provide disabled access and if they're telling you to park in the fire lane, you'll be blocking emergency services in the event of an incident.

It's very badly thought out on their part. I'd consider writing to them to explain why the move away from disabled spaces will impact your use of the facilities and that you were advised to park in the fire lane.

Whether true or not, I have seen information which says landowners only need to provide disabled spaces for employees or tenants. They don't have to provide anything for visitors but may as a courtesy. It might be worth contacting your local council to find out what the actual position of provision is, and I am sure the fire department would be interested to know that their access might be blocked in an emergency.

They do this where I live, they shut the street including BB bays. Means people can't attend the event 🙄😢

I guess I wondered if my rage was a bit ott as we could cope with the alternative. It just feels so hurtful? Upsetting? Not sure the word to think people who need a bit of extra help are only helped as long as it's not inconvenient to someone else.

Not OTT at all. I would tell them it’s against the disability act and they need to sort before they are reported.

Was this a one-off or special event, or is this their permanent position?

YANBU. The place has gone food market mad, a new fad it seems as there are ads all over the place for them. Why so many? Gluttony over sense. There was a food market right outside a station on Sunday, DP has a Blue Badge and there were stalls all the way up to station entrance. So he couldnt park in disabled spaces. Had to drive to another quite far away as other stations fairly nearby dont have ramps/lifts. But no surprise as disability awareness is just lip service here, isn't it?

It was there last week and still there this week. I'm wondering if it's going to be there for the summer?? They had a furry convention last week I thought it was for that but it's all still there. I need to ask if it's permanent but even if it isn't it's still really bad in my opinion. You can have disabled access as long as they don't want the space for something else.

Unfortunately it’s not. There is no legal requirement to provide disabled spaces.

It’s worse if it’s permanent but it’s still unreasonable if it’s temporary.

No, but there are government guidelines and there’s definitely a case here - not that it’d ever get to that if this is some off.

I agree that it's not on. I'd raise it.

We've visited a couple of towns where the weekly market is put mostly on blue badge parking bays. I've written and complained bit s an occasional visitor they haven't take any notice

I don't think it's acceptable. You should complain to your local councillor.