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Blind couple thrown out of Staines pub
A Staines pub has "wholeheartedly" apologised after its manager kicked two blind people out because they brought their guide dogs inside.
Darran Pridmore, 32, was out in Staines with his girlfriend, who is also partially blind and has a guide dog, on Sunday September 14 when they walked into The George in High Street.
A Staines pub has "wholeheartedly" apologised after its manager kicked two blind people out because they brought their guide dogs inside.
Darran Pridmore, 32, was out in Staines with his girlfriend, who is also partially blind and has a guide dog, on Sunday September 14 when they walked into The George in High Street.
They were approached by a manager, who told them dogs were not allowed into the pub because it served food.
When they told her the dogs were guide dogs, she said she was polish and did not understand what guide dogs are.
Darran, who lost most of his sight at age 10 when he got a brain tumour and now has 23% sight in one eye, said: "My reaction was that I didn't care where she was from, we were still allowed to be in there. She walked away from the table and wouldn't give us any answers.
"Other customers came over and pointed out to her that there was a sign saying 'No dogs except guide dogs' outside, but she wouldn't have it and we had to leave.
"The poor old dogs are really doing their best and it's really unfair on them as well as us."
Darran, who lives in Nuneaton, came down to visit his girlfriend, 28, who preferred to remain nameless and lives in Egham.
He added: "We have been blatantly discriminated against, that is the bottom line. The dogs are a disability aid, denying access to the dogs is denying access to us, which is discrimination.
"It's like someone saying they couldn't go in because they are black or have a hearing aid in."
Spokesman for Wetherspoons, Eddie Gershon, said: "We can confirm that the couple were refused entry and for that we apologise.
"This should never have happened, people with guide dogs are allowed in the pub.
"There was a misunderstanding with a member of staff who misread the situation, we wholeheartedly apologise."
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I think that it's well out of order that Darran and his girlfriend, 28, who prefers not be be names where given so much grief about asking for the seeing eye dogs to be removed.
Visually impaired people are just like anyone else and should be treated the same. The seeing eye dogs do an amazing job and should be respected for what they do. They rock!!