As our petition passes 11,000 supporters, the Oxford Mail has reported on a new dispute between the vicar of the University Church, the Revd William Lamb, and Vaults cafe founder, Will Pouget.

Cafe staff were informed three weeks ago that the Church had barred disabled customers from using an accessible toilet and lift installed especially for them in the Old Congregation House where the cafe is situated.

The Old Congregation House is owned by the University but leased to the Church next door. It was built around 1320 as the first seat of government of the University. The disabled toilet and lift were installed in 2011 and were a condition of £5 million of lottery and other funding.

Solicitors instructed by the Church wrote to Will Pouget confirming the vicar’s decision. The letter stated that disabled cafe customers could use an alternative toilet located about 150 yards walk away via Catte street and the High street.

Will Pouget commented: “To expect anyone with mobility issues to make this journey, possibly in bad weather, is cruel and unacceptable.

“We have used these facilities without any problems for 12 years and they were installed especially for our disabled customers’ use.”

Will Pouget shared this information with the Oxford Mail who contacted the Church press office who claimed that both toilets were available to disabled customers of the cafe but “for fire safety and insurance reasons, those wishing to use those toilets must be accompanied by a member of church staff.”

The toilets have a door code which cafe staff were able to use when accompanying customers to the toilet but Will Pouget said that the code had been changed and not shared with cafe staff.

He said: “This action is utterly ridiculous and unacceptable as there are often times when church staff are not on site. It shows no sympathy for our disabled customers.”

Readers of the Oxford Mail https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24005770.row-disabled-toilets-oxford-vaults-garden-cafe/ have commented on the vicar’s action:-

One reader wrote: 

“Can we get clarification from Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue that it is indeed correct that a member of staff from either the Church or Cafe must “supervise the use of the toilet.”

It sounds most undignified.”

Another reader wrote:

“I suspect it’s them being petty because of the court action. I was a Health and Safety Officer on the board of governors when my son was at school. Never heard such nonsense!”

The court proceedings being brought by the Church for possession of the cafe premises are expected to resume in March with a second hearing at Oxford county court.

Thank you all for your support. Please share this update with your friends and colleagues by email and on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Twitter.

Merry Xmas!

team@savethevaults.com