Ian Mann is a forty year old taxi driver from Norwich. Mann suffers from a chronic bowel condition called ulcerative colitis. Because of his condition, Mr. Mann has a card that shows he suffers from the illness so he can use any bathroom when needed. Recently Mr. Mann asked to use a bathroom at a Mecca Bingo Club in Norwich and he was refused.

Mr. Mann had just dropped off a passenger at the Mecca Bingo Club and went inside to use the restroom. Mr. Mann showed his card, that he uses since the illness means he must go to the bathroom quite frequently. The staff member refused to let Mr. Mann use the facilities even though the staff member was shown the card.

Mr. Mann has stated that he would like to raise awareness about his disease, so he can help others with the same affliction. Mr. Mann commented on the incident: I produced my card from the Colitis and Crohn’s Association, which explains that I have a non-contagious medical condition which means I need to use the toilet regularly, and asked if I could use the facilities. She had the audacity to say that I would have to become a member to use them.”

Since this incident, Lesly Huges made a statement on behalf of Mecca Bingo. It read: “We are very sorry. It is our policy that only members can enter the building, but under exceptional circumstances such as this we would certainly allow someone to use the facilities. We will be speaking to all staff, not just the member of staff involved, to make sure they are aware of our policy. If anyone else produces a card such as this then we would allow them to use our facilities. We would like to extend our apologies to Mr. Mann."

Hopefully the club will speak to their employees and this situation will never happen again. Each person should look at the situation carefully before making quick judgments.


- 2008-09-08