A Madame Tussauds attraction in a sleepy seaside town has been forced to apologise after asking a cerebral palsy sufferer to ‘prove he had a disability’.
Liam Maxwell, 26, was on holiday with his care assistant Wendy Plant when he decided that he wanted to check out the waxwork figurines in Blackpool, Lancs.
But as Liam, who has impaired muscular condition cerebral palsy and scoliosis, a curved spine, was paying for a discounted ticket on Saturday (March 3) he was challenged by a staff member to prove he had a disability.
Liam Maxwell, 26, was on holiday with his care assistant Wendy Plant when he said he was treated harshly by staff at the Madame Tussauds venue in Blackpool
Madame Tussauds in Blackpool said that it offers free tickets for carers – but its website states that ‘proof of disability’ is required
A waxwork of the comedian Keith Lemon – also known as Leigh Francis – is just one of scores that are on view at Madame Tussauds in Blackpool
The wheelchair user was also told that he could not take his wheelchair in their lift for ‘health and safety’ reasons.
Liam, who lives in Stoke-on-Trent, said: ‘We sort of looked at each other in disbelief. Was the fact that I was in a wheelchair not proof enough?
‘I felt a bit dejected but this is something I have come to expect as a wheelchair user.
‘I’ve had all sorts of problems getting on and off public transport – but it is not something I would expect from a big company like Merlin.’
Liam decided to then return to Madame Tussauds the next day (Sunday) to complain.
The wheelchair user says he was then offered a free drink as an apology on one of the attraction’s upper floors – which he was previously denied access to.
Liam Maxwell said that his dispute with Madame Tussauds was about ‘standing up for what you believe in’
Coronation Street actress Anne Kilbride comes face to face with a waxwork model of her street character husband Ken Barlow in July 2011 in Blackpool, England
He also claims that he had visited the same attraction in summer last year and was allowed upstairs.
Describing the response, Liam said: ‘The manager we asked for when we complained didn’t seem overly keen on doing anything [for me].
‘I wanted to be reassured that nobody else would be treated that way – it’s about standing up for what you believe in.’
Madame Tussauds Blackpool says it offers free tickets for carers and its website states that ‘proof of disability’ is required.
Commenting on the incident, General Manager Matthew Titherington said: ‘We would like to sincerely apologise to the guest for the misunderstandings experienced when he visited the attraction this weekend.’
A Madame Tussauds spokesperson added: ‘Our admissions team member asked whether his companion was his carer, as this would mean they would receive free entry and did not mean this to be misconstrued.
‘While the attraction is mostly accessible for people with disabilities, there is just one area that unfortunately is not suitable for large wheelchairs or scooters.
‘We have re-addressed the training our entire team receive in terms of accessibility.
‘We’d also like to have the opportunity to apologise again in person and would like to invite him to return and we will also provide a ticket to another Merlin midway attraction free of charge.’