Oliver Bromley, 42, claims he was asked to leave a restaurant after staff said his appearance was “scaring customers.”
Oliver, who has Neurofibromatosis Type 1, a genetic condition causing benign tumors to grow on his nerves, was receiving treatment at King’s College Hospital in Camberwell, southeast London, when he decided to stop for lunch at a nearby restaurant.
When he went to place his order, a staff member informed him that complaints had been made about his face, and he was asked to leave. Upset by the incident, Oliver contacted the restaurant but did not receive a response. He is now sharing his story to raise awareness about his condition and to prevent similar situations for others in the future.
Oliver, who helps run an NHS mental health crisis helpline but is currently off work, explained that he had only just entered the restaurant when the incident occurred.
“I hadn’t even sat down. I went to place my order, and they asked me to leave. Perhaps they saw me browsing, or they just didn’t want me there, but those are the facts,” he said. “Obviously, I was very upset.”
After receiving no reply from the restaurant, which he has chosen not to name, Oliver reported the incident to the police. The Metropolitan Police classified it as a hate crime and confirmed that officers had visited Oliver, but no arrests were made.
Nerve Tumours UK, a charity supporting those with Neurofibromatosis, has expressed disappointment over the incident, stating that it is unfortunately not uncommon.
Karen Cockburn, the charity’s director, said: “We tirelessly work to raise awareness of this condition and to educate the public. If Oliver feels discriminated against, he could potentially pursue a case under the 2010 Equalities Act, as severe disfigurement is a protected characteristic.”
Although the restaurant has not responded, UKHospitality, the trade association body, has agreed to collaborate with Nerve Tumours UK to increase awareness of Neurofibromatosis within the hospitality industry.
