[Albion] Well done Arsenal

[fosters headband]

A pleasant surprise when entering the stadium I was politely asked “How are you at climbing stairs sir?”
I am 78 years of age, who does have to sometimes stop for breather climbing the west stand upper but have no obvious disabilities. I informed the steward I do struggle. Another steward was called and I was taken through a side door and taken up to my seat level by lift
Full credit to Arsenal for paying attention to the health and welfare of their older customer, a lesson perhaps MR Barber could learn from

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Sounds like this needs to be escalated

 

[essbee1]

Sounds like this needs to be escalated

Arsenal seem to have elevated this type of care to a new level.

 

[BNthree]

What a tactful way of asking too.

 

[Smirko]

Very uplifting post

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

A pleasant surprise when entering the stadium I was politely asked “How are you at climbing stairs sir?”
I am 78 years of age, who does have to sometimes stop for breather climbing the west stand upper but have no obvious disabilities. I informed the steward I do struggle. Another steward was called and I was taken through a side door and taken up to my seat level by lift
Full credit to Arsenal for paying attention to the health and welfare of their older customer, a lesson perhaps MR Barber could learn from

Very good but a slight caveat the reason given for not using the lifts are in the case of emergency. Only those capable of using stairs to WSU are supposed to be there. I doubt this is Barber's decision but that of the authorities in the giving of the safety certificate.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

Going up in the world!

 

[Grassman]

A pleasant surprise when entering the stadium I was politely asked “How are you at climbing stairs sir?”
I am 78 years of age, who does have to sometimes stop for breather climbing the west stand upper but have no obvious disabilities. I informed the steward I do struggle. Another steward was called and I was taken through a side door and taken up to my seat level by lift
Full credit to Arsenal for paying attention to the health and welfare of their older customer, a lesson perhaps MR Barber could learn from

This story is great on so many levels.

 

[Official Old Man]

On entering the Emirates each home game my personal steward asks of my health and my family. He then takes me up in the lift where he has a table and chairs set out in the concourse. My meal & wine are served. Once finished, and note I'm never rushed although the game starts without me so I do miss around 15 minutes, I'm escorted to my pre-heated seat and offered a blanket to keep me warm. When we score my steward jumps and claps on my behalf so I can remain seated, although he refuses to sing.
I love corporate football.

 

[Surf's Up]

I have the same problem with the stairs to the West upper - I find that I'm having to drink ever increasing amounts of alcohol in order to prep myself for the climb. I appreciate this won't be for everyone but it works for me!!

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

A pleasant surprise when entering the stadium I was politely asked “How are you at climbing stairs sir?”
I am 78 years of age, who does have to sometimes stop for breather climbing the west stand upper but have no obvious disabilities. I informed the steward I do struggle. Another steward was called and I was taken through a side door and taken up to my seat level by lift
Full credit to Arsenal for paying attention to the health and welfare of their older customer, a lesson perhaps MR Barber could learn from

Indeed. I am a mere 64 but I had a knee op a couple of years ago and asked the club if I could use the lift to west upper for one game while I recuperated. They said no. To be fair they offered to seat me in the disabled section, an offer I gratefully accepted, and they let Mrs T and the nipper join me. But it is a shame that they can't allow use of the lift for West Upper. I have never seen it being used to deliver supplies of food and beer. In fact I am not sure I have ever seen it in use. Disappointing.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Very good but a slight caveat the reason given for not using the lifts are in the case of emergency. Only those capable of using stairs to WSU are supposed to be there. I doubt this is Barber's decision but that of the authorities in the giving of the safety certificate.

As an oldie who has difficulty with stairs now, it is a lot easier to come downstairs than it is to climb them.

A shout out to Wolves too, when we were in the big stand behind the goal, a few years ago, I was treated similarly. I then found I was getting vertigo, so spoke to a steward, who took me down in the lift to the disabled area and bought me a cup of tea. A great way to treat fans.

 

[B-right-on]

Not in the same category, but I thought that the stewards were very pleasant and happy to help when asked for directions.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Very good but a slight caveat the reason given for not using the lifts are in the case of emergency. Only those capable of using stairs to WSU are supposed to be there. I doubt this is Barber's decision but that of the authorities in the giving of the safety certificate.

Fair enough. But how have Arsenal got around this as the same rules should apply, surely?

Some of us enjoyed the facilities at Ajax Amsterdam stadium about 20 years ago, and it was escalators all the way. Emotional.

Not enough space inside, but I would love it if Tony put some escalators on the outside of the Amex.

 

[World of Sport]

At Newcastle you can get the lift without no question at all.

 

[rippleman]

A pleasant surprise when entering the stadium I was politely asked “How are you at climbing stairs sir?”
I am 78 years of age, who does have to sometimes stop for breather climbing the west stand upper but have no obvious disabilities. I informed the steward I do struggle. Another steward was called and I was taken through a side door and taken up to my seat level by lift
Full credit to Arsenal for paying attention to the health and welfare of their older customer, a lesson perhaps MR Barber could learn from

An uplifting tale indeed. I hope you will relay your story to the club. I too know of people who have had an op or an accident who have been refused use of the lift at the Amex. For people who clearly have mobility issues it really wouldn't hurt.

If you do contact Barber it would be interesting to know his response. Not sure he has ever admitted making the wrong call before but there is always a first time. It is only a bloody lift FFS! If the club are worried about its use being abused, stick a cap and a bit of gold braid on a steward and they can operate it.

 

[Questions]

I was allowed to use the lift coming down at The Amex a few years back when my leg gave me jip ( Hamstring injury )

 

[BBassic]

At Newcastle you can get the lift without no question at all.

Cheaper to run a lift than to supply every away fan with the mountaineering gear and oxygen tanks needed for that section.

 

[junior]

A step in the right direction.

 

[spanish flair]

Very good but a slight caveat the reason given for not using the lifts are in the case of emergency. Only those capable of using stairs to WSU are supposed to be there. I doubt this is Barber's decision but that of the authorities in the giving of the safety certificate.

I would be interested to know how they get a safety certificate for allowing the use of lifts in the East stand for disabled then?