Halfords has now apologised for the way Chris Cartlidge, from Trent Vale, was treated
Chris Cartlidge was kicked out of a Halford's store after his legs froze up
Parkinson's disease sufferer Chris Cartlidge was left feeling ‘humiliated’ after being asked to leave a shop when his legs seized up – because he was ‘acting suspiciously’.
The 51-year-old was in Halfords with his son when he suffered an episode and his feet started squeaking on the floor.
The grandfather – who was diagnosed with the degenerative illness 10 years ago – says he was then approached by a member of staff who asked him to leave the Trent Vale store.
Now Halfords has apologised to Chris after the family lodged an official complaint.
The condition means the former Twyfords pot bank worker sometimes needs to use crutches and even a wheelchair.
Chris, from Springfields Road, Trent Vale, said: “I had split up from my son to look for what we were after. When it happens, it just comes on so quickly and my legs just freeze up.
“A member of staff came up to me and I was going to ask where the item was, but they said, ‘I want you to leave the store’. I said, ‘What do you mean?’.
"The person said I was acting suspiciously, and that my feet were squeaking on the floor. I said, ‘I’m sorry I’ve got Parkinson’s, I can’t help it’.
“I was absolutely gobsmacked. I couldn’t believe what was being said. I felt absolutely humiliated. I’m disgusted. I used to use the store all the time because it’s just around the corner from my house, but I won’t be going there again.”
Daughter Katrina Cartlidge later went to the store to complain about what had happened.
The 27-year-old, from Stoke, said: “My younger brother, who was with him, had gone over to my dad and informed the member of staff that he had Parkinson’s disease and if he was given a few moments he would be able to walk. Myself and my older brother later went to the store and spoke to the member of staff.
“One of the worst things for my dad’s condition is if he gets stressed or upset. Now this has left him uneasy about going out shopping. Everything he is going through is so hard and for this to happen to him is disgusting.
"There is no chance I will be shopping in Halfords again – I will avoid the place like the plague.”
Halfords in Trent Vale
The North Staffordshire branch of Parkinson’s UK has also condemned the store staffs’ reaction.
Secretary Shirley Blackhurst, aged 69, from Talke, said: “I cannot believe he was asked to leave the store. The way he was treated was diabolical.”
Retail giant Halfords has now apologised. A spokesman said: “We are all very sorry for Mr Cartlidge’s experience in our Springfields Retail Park store and sincerely apologised to him and his family at the time for any embarrassment this misunderstanding caused.
"Our team always aims to be as sensitive and helpful as possible, but on this occasion, we fell short of meeting our standards.”
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/parkinsons-sufferer-humiliated-after-being-1199252
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