Restaurant bans disabled artist for 'putting off' diners



Devastated: Artist Catherine Blow was banned from a restaurant

A disabled woman has been barred from her favourite restaurant for allegedly 'putting off' other customers.



Artist Catherine Blow, 47, had eaten there six or seven days a week for the past two years.



But last week the restaurant's owner, Francisco Conde, declared that he was losing trade because of her presence - and said he would not serve her there again.



Mr Conde said she could only have takeaways. He said: 'She might spend up to £400 a month here, but I lose more money because of the people who have been disgusted by her spitting on the floor.'



He could now face legal action for discrimination.



Miss Blow, who counts the artist David Hockney among her friends, has the degenerative Huntington's disease, and faces ever-increasing difficulties in moving and talking.



A cousin of fashion designer Selina Blow, she lives in Battersea, South London.



She was a 'brilliant' painter before the inherited condition began to take hold ten years ago.



Despite physical difficulties, she could still walk to the Galo D'Ouro in Battersea, and since it opened two years ago had been a loyal customer. She was said to be devastated when Mr Conde asked a friend to tell Miss Blow that he would no longer serve her in the restaurant.



Last night Miss Blow said: 'I'm very upset I've been told I can't eat in the Galo D'Ouro again.'



Her neighbour and friend, fellow artist Mary Fane-Gladwin, said: 'Why can't they just explain to other customers that she's disabled, seat her in a corner, and help her a bit?'



Miss Blow's cousin Amaury Blow added: 'Many people do not want to see sick people. That sort of attitude leaves people like Catherine utterly isolated.'



Mr Conde, 41, who lives in South London with his wife and two daughters, said he had no choice but to bar Miss Blow if he wanted his restaurant to make a profit.



'She has trouble swallowing, so when she eats there is mess all around her table,' he added. 'She wanders round holding her coffee and shakes, spilling it everywhere.



'Then last Tuesday afternoon she came into the restaurant - and her trousers fell completely down. I had to help her pull them up.'





The restaurateur, who came to England from Portugal 21 years ago, went on: 'I've seen other customers look at her, then just get up and leave their food. When I ask them to pay, they refuse.



'If she rings our number, I'll make up a takeaway and someone can carry it to her.'



A spokesman for the Equalities and Human Rights Commission refused to discuss the case, but said: 'It is illegal to treat a disabled person less favourably because they are disabled.



'But it is possible to argue there are health and safety reasons, or that you provide an alternative service.'

