No access to food or drink –
a distance of roughly 100m. A table and a stack of chairs were in the corridor leading to the disabled toilets - had to be moved to get the wheelchairs into the disabled toilet Tape left on the floor inside the disabled toilets - where workmen had been working. This proved difficult to move wheelchairs over and was a slip hazard for other disabled users.
We would like to thank the staff, whose job it was to support disabled people. They were very helpful as usual and seemed as perturbed about the poor access as we were. We really enjoy our day at the races and would like to continue coming to the Roodee but as an organisation we are not sure we can do so again unless the service we receive improves.
Yours sincerely
Steve Haslam
The Reply:
Thank you for your letter which has been forwarded to me for reply. We are concerned with your disappointment on your visit and will endeavour to make improvements to meet expectations. Over the three day Festival we catered for eleven groups of people with disabilities with no other adverse comments. It is also worth mentioning that the facilities in the general area had only just opened and we are still dealing with issues associated with the new Pavilion and the surrounding area.
I will reply with issues as you raised them -
I assume you arrived in a mini bus. This can drop off in a vehicle tuning bay adjacent to the Disabled Reception and then park elsewhere. This will prevent the need to cross the track on the matting.
We apologies for the locked gate, which was part of the problem of not foreseeing issues, associated with the new work. In future we will issue Angela Rogers with the key. However if we were informed of the problem on the day it could easily be resolved. The shelter issue is something we will investigate. If you require alcohol and I am informed in advance I will issue you with a letter that can be shown to stewards that will allow your movement of alcohol in the Paddock areas.
The same applies to food. We have removed the disable portaloo from the area, however a series of disabled toilets are available at the back of the Pavilion and the disabled reception. I can only apologies for the condition of the block which we are using as the disabled reception which despite requests was failed to be cleared and effectively cleaned prior to racing
We would like to think you return to Chester Racecourse again and can assure you it is our intention to continuously improve facilities and standards.
John Knott
Racecourse Safety Officer
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