Hotel disabled facilities slammed

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 7th Apr 2008

Disabled delegates at a conference in the Europa Hotel in Belfast, have said they are disgusted by the lack of facilities and access. They said rooms booked for disabled users do not include features like grab rails and roll-in showers. There is also no access for wheelchairs through the main lobby because of building work.

A hotel statement said it is undergoing extensive refurbishment, including disabled bedrooms, lobby and reception. "We apologise to all guests for any inconvenience caused due to the building work, and are working on a one to one basis with the guests in question to resolve the situation," said general manager James McGinn. "Our refurbishment includes the addition of 10 new bedrooms with disabled facilities, and we are working in consultation with Disability Action to ensure that these rooms meet all industry standards."

Earlier, Des Doherty, who is attending a National Union of Journalists conference, at the hotel criticised the facilities. "There's nothing accessible about it, there's nothing to assist anybody with a disability," Mr Doherty said. "And unfortunately if the situation doesn't change in what the hotel is calling disabled accessible rooms there's going to be a very severe accident."