A mum from Sidcup has said she is “disgusted” by a café in Sidcup after she, her blind son and his guide dog were refused entry.

Ann Vallance, her son Stephen, and his guide dog Wills went to the Star Café in Sidcup for breakfast on Sunday, April 10.

However, the three were refused entry because of Wills, despite Ann claiming that she explained that he is a working dog, and him displaying a harness and lead.

A spokesperson for the Star Café says the guide dog was not allowed to enter the premises because he is “large and fluffy”.

Stephen – who has learning difficulties and is registered blind – and his mum, Ann, both say they are “disgusted and shocked” by the refusal.

A spokesperson for Guide Dogs has said it is “completely unacceptable and illegal” for a business or service to refuse entry to a customer with a guide dog.

News Shopper:

Ann told the News Shopper: “I told the gentleman that Wills was a working dog, and my son is blind.

“But he insisted that it’s against his policy to have the dog in the café.

“It’s disgusting.

“Stephen has a lot of health issues going on and every other café has been amazing – it is just this one.

“We had the same issue there a couple of years back when Stephen had Linton - a black Labrador who was also a guide dog.

“A staff member told us to ‘stop the dog from shaking’, which we couldn’t do, and then he barred us from the café.

“Linton died through the pandemic, and we had to wait two years for a new guide dog.”

Stephen told the News Shopper that he is “disgusted” with what has happened and claims that his relationship with his working dog is “really good”.

Ann says that Wills - who is an Alsatian mixed Labrador - is a loveable dog that has been a member of the family for just a short period of time.

Ann added: “Wills is still in training, but he acts as the eyes for Stephen.

“We didn’t actually step foot through the door, but a customer who was outside told us to sit outside.

“But why should we – there is no reason for that.

“Stephen had a transplant a few years back, so he feels the cold a lot more than others.

“This should have never happened.”

News Shopper: Star Cafe (Google Street View)Star Cafe (Google Street View)

A spokesperson for the Star Café in Sidcup said: “You know, I've known them for years.

“The guide dog is too large and fluffy.

“The people in the coffee shop do not like it, so we lose customers.

“She appeared the other day with the large dog but there was no room.

“She doesn’t understand – she just thinks because there’s a guide dog, they can go anywhere they want and sit anywhere they like, but it doesn’t work that way.

“We've got tables and chairs outside, and she doesn't want that.

“That’s the reason why I won’t let them in again.”

A Guide Dogs spokesperson said: “We were extremely disappointed to learn that Mr Vallance and his guide dog were refused access to a café in Sidcup.

“All blind and partially sighted people deserve to be able to live their lives the way they want and feel confident, independent, and supported in the world.

“It is completely unacceptable and illegal for a business or service to refuse entry to a customer with a guide dog, yet, sadly, it happens all too often.

“Our research shows that three-quarters of guide dog owners are illegally turned away, and this discrimination can have a lasting impact on their ability to live actively and independently in their local communities.”

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