Pub landlord’s heartwarming response when dad of disabled boy asked if wheelchair-bound son was welcome inside
The dad had been worried staff at the Sheffield pub would be angry if his son started to make loud noises or wave his arms in the air. But instead, Steph Tate welcomed him - and her response will break your heart
A LANDLADY'S message to a disabled boy's dad has won over legions of online fans after she welcomed them to her pub.
Steph Tate said her heart had been "broken" when the boy's dad asked her if his son would be able to eat at the Sheffield pub.
The dad, whose son uses a wheelchair, was concerned the pair would be turned away from The Barrel Chapeltown if the boy were to make loud noises or wave his arms in the air.
But instead of turning the dad away, Ms Tate said she was touched by his plea and determined to make him feel welcome.
Recounting the exchange to the Sun Online, Ms Tate said: "I just felt devastated that in this day and age somebody would feel they have to ask that.
"The look on his face just broke my heart."
She said she had initially been confused by the request on Monday 25 June.
Recounting the conversation, she said: "I was stood behind the bar. A man came up to me, asking if his son was allowed in my pub, and all I could think was: why wouldn’t he be?
"He told me that a few weeks ago they’d gone elsewhere and people had made comments.
"I said of course you’re welcome here, everyone is welcome, and anyone who makes a comment I’ll turn away."
Ms Tate shared the story on her pub's Facebook page, where it picked up more than 1,500 reactions and almost 750 shares.
She wrote: "If you're sat at home with a disabled child, partner or friend and feel on edge about taking them anywhere due to fear of someone making comments please feel free to bring them here.
"If I find anyone making negative comments or being disrespectful they will be asked to leave not you".
People were quick to comment in support of the landlady's message.
"Heartwarming. Wish more people would take your lead and apply this", wrote Wendy Houghton.
Ian Lomas added: "Why do people feel the need to be like this? What kind of a world are we becoming? It's quite horrifying when you read and see things like this, it really is."
In all the flurry, Ms Tate hasn't had a chance to get back to work yet, and says she could never have imagined the support her message would receive.
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