Bar in the doghouse

By Callan Date
A LOCAL nightspot has apologised for a misunderstanding that resulted in a patron being refused access to a disabled car park last Friday night.
Kelly Soltan said she was humiliated and distressed after a Fourteen 22 security guard told her she could not park in the disabled zone as it was reserved for a hot dog van.
The 26-year-old, who recently had a spinal fusion, said the security guard couldn’t care less about the disabled parking permit she displayed.
“I asked security if Fourteen 22 believed a hot dog van was more important than a disabled patron to which he didn’t respond.
“He once again instructed us to move our car,” Ms Soltan said.
Fourteen 22 manager Pete, who wished to have his surname withheld, said he was quick to apologise to Ms Soltan as soon as she raised the issue with him.
He said a hot dog van did operate outside the club but it didn’t take up a disabled spot.
“We had a new security guard working. It was his second night on the job and first night on the door and he didn’t know it was a disabled spot,” he said.
Pete said he immediately told the security guard that a disabled permit holder was allowed to park in the spot.
“It was a break down in communication. I apologised straight away and tried to rectify the situation,” Pete said.
However, that was little consolation to Ms Soltan.
“I was told to move the car to the disabled space. This was too little, too late as we had already moved the car.
“As we were only staying for one drink it was pointless to move the car again.”
Ms Soltan said she quickly started to regret the decision to venture out for the night.
“It is not the sort of place I would normally go to. A close friend of mine was having a farewell party and I made a fair bit of an effort to get there.
“I’ll definitely never go there again,” she said.
Pete said the security guard in question had since been moved inside.
“I regret the situation and it won’t happen again,” he said.