Blind student refused entry to Coventry restaurant because of her guide dog

[dutchman]

A blind student’s birthday was ruined after restaurant owners told her to tie up her guide dog outside or take her business elsewhere.

Holly Scott-Gardener was told by staff at PGR Coventry, in Priory Row, that it was against the restaurant’s policy to allow her guide dog, Isla, into the building.

The first year Coventry University student explained to the pizzeria’s staff several times it is illegal to refuse her entry and that they could be fined.

The 22-year-old filmed the conversation with two members of staff, believed to be the restaurant’s owner and manager.

A man, who was referred to as the owner, said: “You can leave your dog out.”

The female staff member then said: “It’s a private business, not a franchise. You can go to another restaurant because we don’t accept, unfortunately.”

Holly uploaded the video to Facebook and it has since been shared more than 30,000 times.

Holly told the Telegraph: “I just think it’s ridiculous and really disrespectful. Most people are receptive.

“They’ve probably got away with it in the past.

She added: “The argument went on for about five minutes. I only filmed about two minutes of it.

“It makes no difference if it’s a franchise or not.

“If you have a business, you have to oblige by all the laws.”

A friend of Holly’s phoned the restaurant on Monday and was allegedly told guide dogs were not allowed in due to the open kitchen plan.

Holly spent the rest of her birthday speaking to advisors at Guide Dogs in Leamington Spa.

Emily Zorish, restaurant manager at PGR, told the Telegraph: “We do accept guide dogs. One member of staff was not informed. We explained that we do accept guide dogs.”

This isn’t the first time that Holly, originally from York, has been denied entrance to a place because of Isla. This week, she was also told she couldn’t take Isla into European Mini Market in Far Gosford Street.

The Disability Discrimination Act means business owners must waive certain policies like no dogs on the premises for assistance dogs.

The law states a duty is imposed on: “employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people to help them to overcome barriers that they may face in gaining and remaining in employment and in accessing and using goods and services.”

[rebbonk]

They say no publicity is bad publicity. I bet that the owners of PGR find otherwise.

[dutchman]

A student boycott would probably destroy them!