Are top restaurants doing enough for coeliac sufferers?

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

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

However many of the city's smaller restaurants and chain outlets have dishes designated as "gluten free" and available on their menus 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.

Click Liverpool investigated whether Liverpool's ventures are geared up to deal with Coeliac customers.

La Tasca, Bella Italia, the Adelphi Hotel, and the Algarve Portuguese restaurant have permanent gluten-free menus, Heathcotes, Piccolino, the Bar & Grill and the Panoramic Restaurant say prior notice is required from coeliacs before gluten-free meals can be provided, and Pizza Hut said it was not planning to introduce gluten-free dough bases or pasta.

Cooper said: "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."

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK, added: "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."

Words: Maria Bracken

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