A blind charity chief was left shocked and disgusted when he was refused entry to a restaurant because customers did not want his guide dog inside.
Andy Shipley, chairman of disability charity Fieldfare Trust, was in a party of six staff who were turned away from Shahzad Indian restaurant, in Park Street, Slough.
Mr Shipley has a deteriorating eye condition that severely limits his vision and he relies on guide dog Winnie to get around.
Despite having only two tables of customers on Sunday, May 20, manager Muhammed Saleem, claimed customers did not want a dog in the restaurant.
Law states restaurants are obligated to make amendments for guests with guide dogs, but despite protests, the manager refused to back down.
Mr Shipley, 48, from Bucks, said: “It was very upsetting. This has been the law for a long time. It spoiled our evening. We travel around the country and this is the first time we have ever had this type of trouble.”
The charity holds regional heats for Fieldfare Challenge, which gets disabled youngsters out taking part in sport in the countryside, at Black Park Country Park, Wexham, every year.
Staff have eaten at the restaurant on the Sunday before the event for eight years.
Mr Saleem said: “I asked the two tables of customers and they said they don’t want to have a dog in the restaurant. What can you do?
“There were six people with the dog. One person could have kept the dog outside while they were eating food. They all wanted to come in. I’m sorry, but I have to pay attention to my other customers.
“I talked to them nicely and wasn’t being rude.”
Andy Johnson, Fieldfare Trust director, said: “It’s appalling - you’d think that type of social attitude had disappeared some time ago.
“I was totally shocked with the conversation I had with the manager - he understood the rules, but said the feelings of customers were more important than the duty of legislation.”
Mr Saleem apologised and said he would consider Mr Shipley’s demands to make a donation to the charity and install a clear guide dog policy.