A 63 year old man with terminal bladder cancer says he felt humiliated after staff at an Iceland store in Wavertree, Liverpool refused to let him use the toilet.
Stephen Brady had been shopping with his daughter when he suddenly needed urgent access to a bathroom. Due to his condition, he experiences painful and sudden urges to urinate. When staff denied his request, he suffered an accident outside the store.
He described the experience as deeply embarrassing and said it made him feel helpless.
Living with Terminal Bladder Cancer
Stephen has lived with bladder cancer for three years. One of his symptoms includes passing large amounts of blood in his urine. This makes his need for a toilet both urgent and unpredictable.
On the day of the incident, he felt a sudden flare up while shopping. He told his daughter Ellie May that he needed to go immediately. She quickly approached a store assistant and explained her father’s medical condition.
According to Ellie May, the staff member refused before she could finish speaking. She said he responded abruptly and showed little understanding. She then asked to speak to the store manager.
Store Response and Escalation
Ellie May said the manager also refused their request. The manager reportedly stated that store rules did not allow access and added that they did not know Stephen personally.
Security staff then approached them and asked them to leave the store.
Shortly after reaching their car, Stephen had an accident. Blood ran down his leg, and he broke down in tears. His daughter described the moment as heartbreaking and said the situation has seriously affected her father’s confidence.
