Disabled man left eating pizza outside Prezzo in rain
The restaurant chain has admitted it was not the company’s 'finest hour' after a ramp did not fit properly
A disabled man had to eat his meal in the pouring rain because he could not get access to a Hampshire restaurant.
Michael Grimmett could not get into the Prezzo restaurant on Palmerston Street in Romsey because the ramp did not fit properly.
Prezzo apologised and admitted it was not the company’s 'finest hour'.
An engineer is to be sent to the site to fix the ramp.
The video of Mr Grimmett eating under the rain went viral on social media and was watched by more than half a million people.
Mr Grimmett said he understands the restaurant is located in a listed building.
But he added: "I know it's a listed building, I know it's difficult to do, disabled people aren't silly, but at the same time there are a lot of listed buildings around the UK that have access.
"You can have a listed building but still have access".
Prezzo bosses said they were “truly dismayed” to see Mr Grimmett's video on social media
In a statement the company said: “We apologise fully and unreservedly to Mr Grimmett for the distress and embarrassment we’ve caused. Clearly we’ve fallen way short on this occasion. Not our finest hour."
The company said an investigation into the incident is being carried out as “an urgent priority”.
It added: “An engineer is visiting the restaurant as soon as is humanly possible to double-check the ramp to make sure it’s secure and safe. We are also looking at how we can make the building more accessible, given its listed status. Our aim is that every customer leaves us wanting to come back.”
Mr Grimmett said he welcomed the apology and stressed that it was not the fault of staff at the Romsey restaurant and they had tried to help.