Former BBC journalist slams 'ableist' Accessorize after claiming she was 'refused service' in store due to being in a wheelchair - and was only offered a £75 gift card in compensation
Share:
A former BBC journalist has slammed 'ableist' Accessorize staff for refusing her service in store due to being in a wheelchair. Lucy Webster, 30, who is based in London, opted for the high-street chain to get a piercing earlier this month, believing it would be a fuss-free job.
![[She has since taken to Twitter to share her story - branding the jewellery chain 'ableist']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/12/93231481-14201073-image-a-15_1734439774709.jpg)
However, she was left close to tears after staff in store 'refused' to give her the piercing over concerns she wouldn't be able to keep it clean, and suggested she 'try Superdrug' instead or return with a doctors' note. Lucy, who was previously a political journalist at the BBC, believes the only motivation they had is the fact she uses a wheelchair, despite informing them she would have help to keep it clean.
![[Lucy, a journalist and writer, believes the only motivation they had is the fact she uses a wheelchair, despite informing them she would have help to keep it clean]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/12/93231499-14201073-image-a-20_1734439864228.jpg)
She has since blasted the jewellery chain as 'ableist', adding that their 'contempt for disabled people is off the charts.'. Her frustrations were heightened further when she was only offered a £75 gift card in compensation, without her real concerns being addressed.
Posting on X/Twitter on December 6, Lucy wrote: 'Today @Accessorize wouldn't let me get a piercing without a doctors note to say I know how to keep it clean. Why? Because I'm a wheelchair user. I'm so tired.'. After entering the store, Lucy said staff would only speak to her friend, Tilly, and found it difficult to look her in the eye.
![[She later managed to get her piercing done with 'zero fuss' at a local studio]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/12/93231479-14201073-image-a-18_1734439848236.jpg)
Lucy Webster has slammed Accessorize for refusing her service due to being in a wheelchair. She has since taken to Twitter to share her story - branding the jewellery chain 'ableist'. The customer service assistant then expressed doubts she would be able to keep the piercing clean, and went to fetch the manager.
![[Lucy Webster, 30, who is based in London, was seeking to get a helix piercing in her upper cartilage]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/12/93231501-14201073-image-a-23_1734439931037.jpg)
