Coeliacs - top restaurants "miss out"

Rose Cooper MP

Top restaurants are failing to provide meals suitable for coeliac disease sufferers on regular menues, a survey by Click Liverpool has revealed.

Four of Liverpool's top eateries say that coeliac victims need to phone through a special order in advance if they want a suitable meal.

In contrast many of the city's smaller restaurants and chain outlets have dishes designated as "gluten free" and available on their menues throughout the day.

MP Rosie Cooper, a former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, is campaigning to persuade restaurateurs to meet the needs of "coeliacs".

One in 100 people in the UK has coeliac disease for which there is no treatment.
Coeliacs need to adopt a strict gluten-free diet if they are to avoid feeling ill and the more serious long-term effects on their health

We investigated whether some of the popular locations in the city centre are geared-up deal with coeliac customers.

Everyman Bistro&Bars describes itself as a "coeliac heaven".

It offers a wide range of gluten-free options and for £15 per head provides a complete gluten-free menu for special events.

In conjunction with the Coeliac Society they hold a special day for coeliacs on the first Saturday of each month from 2 pm to 4 pm when a special gluten-free menu is served.

La Tasca, Bella Italia, the Adelphi Hotel, and the Algarve Portuguese restaurant have permanent gluten-free menus.

However, Heathcotes, Piccolino, the Bar & Grill and the Panoramic Restaurant say prior notice is required from coeliacs before gluten-free meals can be provided.

Pizza Hut said it was not planning to introduce gluten-free dough bases or pasta.

Miss Cooper, MP for West Lancashire, said catering businesses unwilling to provide gluten-free meals are missing out on a £100 million per year trade.

She said: "They could easily tap into this market with some simple adjustments to their catering practices.

"It is very sad that some of the most high-profile restaurants and the ones that do not have gluten-free options on their standard menues."

According to latest research 74% of the coeliacs surveyed said that if there were enough menu options they would eat out more often.

Sarah Sleet, Chief executive of Coeliac UK said: "In these difficult times, when over 40 pubs and restaurants nationally are closing per week, this is a huge market that the hospitality sector cannot afford to miss."

A list of restaurants recommended by coeliac patients can be found on the Coeliac UK website www.coeliac.org.uk

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