British ski champion and guide dog excluded from Sainsbury store | Business

A blind British ski champion said he felt shaken and humiliated after being denied access to a Sainsbury store with his guide dog.

Paralympian John Dickinson-Lilley attempted to enter the Holborn store in central London with his guide dog Brett, but said he had been arrested by a security guard.

He said: "I had finished working and because it was a beautiful day, Brett enjoyed a walk because we had stayed indoors all day.

"We stopped at Sainsbury's on Southampton Row to get some wine to enjoy the weather. As soon as I entered, the security officer said "no, no, no".

"What did I say?" "He said," You know what. Dogs forbidden I asked to get the manager, but he refused. Dickinson-Lilley, who retired from ski racing last year, said that a supervisor had finally apologized.

When he complained about the incident on Twitter, Sainsbury's replied, "Hello John, sorry for the delay with which I sent you back. I spoke to the store manager. It is clear that the safety officer misinterpreted the situation and this was resolved to prevent this from happening again. "

Under the Equality Act, companies are required to allow guide dogs on their premises, but Dickinson-Lilley said it was the second time that it has occurred. denied access to the same store and that he had encountered a similar situation in another London branch. of the shop.

He said he would sue Sainsbury for the incident. "The idea that you can enter a store and be humiliated in this way in 2019 is outrageous.

"There is clearly something that does not work in their business. They know that they can not sell alcohol, knives and razors to children, but they do not know that I am allowed to enter with my dog. They do not give priority to people with disabilities. "

Sainsbury's has been sponsoring the British Paralympic team since 2012 on a contract until 2020.

Dickinson-Lilley said: "Sainsbury's has played a very important role in their involvement in the sport. If you put yourself on the front line saying "hey, we're sponsoring the Paralympic Games," you have to be a leader in this area. "

Sainsbury's said in a statement: "We apologized to John for his experience and rebadure him, service dogs are welcome in all our stores and gas stations."