Last week was very busy as it seems it’s exhibition season.

First I went to the Hotelympia exhibition of the best in the hotel & restaurant trade and I went specifically to see the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) and a talk by Sir Terence Conran. I succeeded on both counts:

  • First, by accosting the SRA and asking why ‘inclusion’ was not on their menu? They said they’d consider it as one of their objectives;
  • Second, I went to the Lifetime Achievement Award for Sir Terence Conran, one of my lifelong heroes (along with David Beckham and Georgio Armani).

Conran gets this accolade from BBS as his original chain of restaurants and his more recent i.e. The Boundary, Albion & Lutyens, have always considered people with disabilities, even in Listed Buildings (see my gripe on this issue here) such as Bluebird in Chelsea. I’ve also loved his homeware designs ever since my first Habitat settee. I was surprised and felt a certain empathy with him as he walked onto the stage using a very beautiful cane; something I’ve had to do but always sought the steadying arm of the nearest good looking male. I later found out his son had bought it for him from Portobello Road (a great place to buy antique canes).

Anyway, one of the key things he mentioned was that hoteliers should make the most of the space they have, including rooftops. We totally agree as it gives an exciting space to enjoy a meal or drink, with a view not normally seen for free (particularly in our big cities). BBS collated a list of accessible rooftops from around the UK, so we’re with you on that one, Sir T. Only two more heroes to meet and my life will be complete!!

Boundary Rooftop Bar
Rooftop Bar at Boundary a Conran Hotel/Bar/Restaurant. Takes wheelchairs & accessible via lift of course
  • There was also a presentation for the Best Hotel Design and I’m happy to say this went to The London Edition, a hotel we awarded the maximum 3 BBS Ticks to as it’s totally inclusive with discreet & stylish disabled facilities. Runners up were The Great Northern at Kings Cross and ME hotel in Aldwych (we’ll review them asap).
London Edition - Stylish & Discreetly Inclusive
London Edition – Stylish & Discreetly Inclusive

Second, I went to Naidex which had it’s usual array of naff disability paraphernalia, but there were a few gems and my full report is here. Suffice to say I think the disability market is waking up to the idea that we have money and won’t buy their rubbish anymore, if only restaurants would do the same as you can see from my series on the Great British Menu Chefs and the accessibility (or not) of their restaurants.

To forget the ugly sights at Naidex I went to see a new play about a dissolute rock star, Birdland,at the Royal Court, an excellent inclusive theatre. Yet again an old listed building but they have a lift, disabled facilities and the disabled seating is in the stalls with really good seats/spaces. They also have an access guide online. Andrew Scott (of Moriarty fame in Sherlock) was the best thing as the rock star, the play not so. Most reviews either love or hate it but I left rather ambivalent as without Scott’s performance this play would have been forgettable.

Royal Court Theatre, Sloane sq., Very Inclusive and Good Seats
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane sq., Very Inclusive and Good Seats
Andrew Scott in Birdland, Great Performance, Forgettable Play
Andrew Scott in Birdland, Great Performance, Forgettable Play

A good evening out, only clouded by the fact that at Colbert Brasserie, next door, I was accused of not telling them I was in a wheelchair – I’ve been there plenty of times for them to know, and  why should I have to do this anyway?? Comments please if you’ve had the same accusation at a restaurant??? I’m downgrading them to 2 from 2.5 BBS Ticks!

Finally, I went to Vue cinema to see the NT Live performance of king Lear with Simon Russell Beale as Lear and directed by Sam Mendes. I can’t recommend these events enough as it was brilliant and at a cinema you get to see the actors up close and appreciate every nuance, something that’s difficult to see on stage unless you’re very near. There were also interviews with the cast during the interval which gave even greater insight to the performance. In particular Lear was portrayed as someone with the early signs of Dementia which explained a lot, as he ranted about his daughter Cordelia and how she didn’t respect or love him.

Staging of king Lear by sam Mendes was dramatic & Beautiful at Times Despite the Blood
Staging of king Lear by Sam Mendes Was Dramatic & Beautiful, Despite the Blood

The staging by Sam Mendes was dramatic and often beautiful, even though there was a lot of blood. The corn fields where Lear roamed in distress at losing his mind were especially colourful and a contrast to the dark mood of the play.

We also had great seats in the disabled bay at the back our own royal box. The only jarring note was the inability to book online and explaining to the staff that I did indeed have reserved seats as that’s the only way I can book with Vue, I even had booking reference but I was told that wasn’t correct until she entered the number twice and finally agreed I did indeed have a reservation. We missed the first few minutes and my recommendation is get there early to avoid confusion from the staff at Vue.

That’s all for this week as I’m exhausted from all the excitement, see you next……

 

 

Leave a Reply