‘Humiliated’ blind British ski champion and his guide dog barred from Sainsbury’s
A BLIND British ski champion has revealed the humiliation he felt when an “outrageous” Sainsbury’s store denied him access with his guide dog. Paralympian John Dickinson-Lilley, who uses guide dog Brett to get around, was stopped by a security guard when he attempted to enter the central London store. The British and European champion, who […]
A BLIND British ski champion has revealed the humiliation he felt when an “outrageous” Sainsbury’s store denied him access with his guide dog.
Paralympian John Dickinson-Lilley, who uses guide dog Brett to get around, was stopped by a security guard when he attempted to enter the central London store.
The British and European champion, who retired from competitive skiing last year, said it was the second time the Holborn Sainsbury’s had denied him entry.
He said: “I had finished work and because it was a really nice day, Brett fancied a walk because we’d been indoors all day.
“We stopped at the Sainsbury’s on Southampton Row to get some wine to enjoy the weather. As soon as I walked in, the security guard said: ‘No, no, no.’
“I said: ‘What?’ He said: ‘You know what. No dogs allowed.’ I asked to get the manager, but he refused.”
The Equalities Act requires businesses to allow guide dogs onto premises and Dickinson-Lilley insists he will take Sainsbury’s to court.
The idea that you can walk into a shop and be humiliated like that in 2019 is outrageous.
British champion skier John Dickinson-Lilley
He says a store supervisor eventually apologised but that he is yet to receive an official apology from the company.
Dickinson-Lilley added: “The idea that you can walk into a shop and be humiliated like that in 2019 is outrageous.
“There’s clearly something that’s not working in their business. They know they can’t sell booze, knifes and razors to children, but yet they don’t know that I’m allowed in with my dog.
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“They’re not prioritising disabled people.”
Sainsbury’s has sponsored the British Paralympic team since 2012 and has a deal that runs until 2020.
A statement from the company said: “We have apologised to John for his experience and reassure him assistance dogs are welcome in all our stores and petrol stations.”
