Sometimes as a disabled person you have weeks where your disability doesn’t really enter into your mind – I guess we will call those ‘normal weeks’. Then you have others where it’s at the forefront through a series of events – or as I call it trying to go out for dinner.

Now a lot of disabled people will have their ‘go to’ restaurants as they know they can get in, use the loo, get under the tables etc. I’m guilty of that too but just now and again I think hold on I should be able to go where everyone else goes. Now I’m not one to name and shame – oh no wait – that’s a lie. Let’s start with ITSU, their tag line is ‘We are here with a purpose: to help you eat beautiful’.

Hmmm. I’m not sure I found the experience quite so beautiful when I entered and all the tables were high benches with fixed stools. Meaning I couldn’t actually get to a table nor eat with my friends. I thought I’d at least check out the loo. Now credit where it is due they did have an accessible loo. Problem is that the door blocked the entrance to the loo and forced me to do a weird turn half behind the counter reaching behind me to open the door. Funnily enough that experience wasn’t particularly beautiful either although I suppose I wasn’t technically eating. I asked a staff member about lowered seating. After a red face he said: “We don’t have any.” I decided to spend my hard earned money elsewhere.

Over the weekend I met with a friend who has an eight-month-baby. We decided on Bills for lunch as it claims to be accessible for me and the pram – that’s the biggest understatement I have heard for a while. I arrived to be greeted by steps and no doorbell to attract attention. Luckily my friend spotted me from inside. The staff eventually opened some doors and started faffing with ramps and door wedges. Meanwhile I was sat bemused and embarrassed for them.

A temporary ramp was put down so close to the edge of the pavement that I needed help to prevent myself from tipping out.

I was then confronted by an 80s’ style stair lift that was obscured by a wedged open door. This meant that I’d have to somehow stand and walk about two feet across and four feet up to even get on it, never mind the horror of staff watching me get out of my chair and back in. The staff said it was council approved. Wrong answer I’m afraid. I shipped my friends out and went elsewhere. Sadly I only have 500 words here but in my next column I will be singing the praises of Byron Burger, where we did eventually end up and where they had great access and sensitive staff. So perhaps I should have stuck to my known accessible spots although now at least I can add Byron to my list and boycott ITSU and Bills.