Orange pub apologises after Bathurst man and support worker refused service

Royal Hotel manager Adam Isbester said he was looking to use the "unfortunate situation" at the pub last week to create a disability-friendly environment at the establishment.

Bathurst man Josh Shearman, 21, attended the Royal Hotel with his support worker for after-work drinks on Friday, August 21.

Mr Shearman has a rare genetic disorder, Pettigrew syndrome, and non-verbal autism.

Mr Isbester said he was "lost for words" to later learn one of his staff had made a judgment to refuse alcohol service to the support worker who intended to buy a drink for Mr Shearman.

ALSO MAKING NEWS:

"The staff member made a quick decision and thought it was the right thing to do, but turns out it wasn't," Mr Isbester said.

"It did not come from a place of discrimination and I can't tell you how deeply disappointed and saddened I feel.

"We will be turning this negative event into a positive to make better decisions for future patrons."

Mr Isbester also said the staff member had been counselled over the incident.

"We want to be able to support them to make better decisions in the future," he said.

"The staff member regrets their decision."

He added he had called Mr Shearman's mother, Vannessa Shearman, and the support worker to apologise.

"I called them separately last week and they both acknowledged and accepted the apology," Mr Isbester said.

In light of the incident, Mr Isbester said he would approach disability services and a support worker to discuss how they will be able to to better approach future situations.

"We would like our staff to be further trained on disability inclusion," Mr Isbester said.

"We can't undo the events that occurred and our staff can only learn from this situation so it doesn't happen again."

A Facebook post written by Mrs Shearman about the incident has been liked and shared to more than 1000 people.

She said Mr Shearman "has every right to enjoy an alcohol beverage just like everyone else".

However, Mrs Shearman said she was now grateful for the apology from Mr Isbester.

"We are pleased that the hotel will be moving forward in a positive direction to support people with disabilities," she said.