BOSSES at McDonald’s have apologised to a Southend woman after being accused of failing to provide suitable disabled access following a refurbishment.

Caz Tro, 47, has lodged an official complaint with the fast-food giant after claiming she struggled to access the McDonald’s at Southend Airport Retail Park, in Rochford, in her mobility scooter.

She claims although she could get inside the restaurant, she was unable to reach the tables and struggled to reach the kiosk when visiting with her brother, who uses a wheelchair.

McDonald’s has apologised and is investigating the the complaint, but insists the chain has put measures into place to ensure disability access. The restaurant closed in April for a refurbishment and Caz claims the work has created the problem.

Caz said: “I’m furious, I have been going there for 20 years and I went there on the day it opened. The refit did not consider the disabled and this was the first time I had been in there since the update, it needed updating but whoever designed it was an able-bodied person.

“We are not second-class citizens, the way we have been discriminated against, I thought we had collectively moved on.”

As a result of the issue, Caz and her brother ate their order outside and are now hoping to raise awareness of the “embarrassing” experience to help fellow-wheelchair users.

Caz has made a formal complaint to the branch, claiming that the doors were blocked, the layout for a wheelchair or small scooter is un-manoeuvrable and the kiosk and tables are difficult to reach.

She added: “It is illegal to have a public place without disabled access, we sat there horrified, we collected our order and ate on the red seats. I came home and cried, as did my brother.”

A McDonald’s spokesman promised the issue would be investigated but insisted that accessibility was a key part of considerations during the refurb.

They added: “At McDonald’s we strive to always be an inclusive and welcoming business. We apologise if this visit did not meet the standards of customer service we expect and we are currently investigating the incident. Earlier this year, the restaurant underwent a refurbishment, and as part of this process, a number of steps were taken to improve accessibility further including loose seating throughout the restaurant to accommodate wheelchair access. The restaurant also features automated sliding doors and maintains a 1.5m turning circle for wheelchair users, including around our self-order kiosks.”