Autistic West Sussex man ‘traumatised’ after cafe staff ‘threaten to call police’ over seating row

An autistic man from West Sussex has slammed a cafe after he said staff threatened to call the police after he changed seats.
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Joe James, a photographer and autism activist from Horsham, visited Starbucks in Piries Place in the town centre with his wife on Tuesday, October 13.

He was seated in the central area of the cafe but then explained to staff that he had to move due to his anxiety.

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Joe said despite explaining he is autistic, staff became aggressive even though there was plenty of room and the cafe was nearly empty. He said it seemed like there were more staff members in the branch than customers. Joe added: “I felt sick. We were just in shock. Where is the understanding?

Joe James with his wifeJoe James with his wife
Joe James with his wife

“I’m not going out now. They have literally traumatised me.”

Joe, who said he was excited and happy to be going into town for a coffee, filmed the encounter in a video which has been viewed more than 90,000 times.

In the film a staff member can be heard saying ‘I asked you to leave sir. You were asked to sit at a table for two people and you’re sitting at a table for four’. In the background another person, who Joe said was a staff member, can be heard saying ‘I’m going to call the police’.

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Horsham resident Joe spends his time doing photography and giving talks at schools about autism, which he does free of charge.

He said: “I will fight for autistic rights. I have always fought for other people’s rights. I was in a situation fighting for my rights.”

Joe told the County Times that people are normally understanding of him being autistic but the experience has marred him and he is unwilling to go out.

In response to Joe James’s comments, a spokeswoman for Starbucks said the cafe wants everyone to feel welcome in its stores.

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She added: “We’re sorry that Joe did not experience that with us yesterday.

“Our greatest priority at this time is the safety and wellbeing of our partners (employees) and customers, and adhering to government and health authority guidance.

“In some of our stores, this means sitting at allocated seating to enable social distancing.

“We know that some of these restrictions pose particular challenges for some customers, and when we are made aware upon ordering, we will do everything we can to manage customers’ differing needs while still adhering to safety procedures.”

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