A blind woman has spoken of her distress after staff at a Wetherspoons pub in Hartlepool reportedly demanded identification for her guide dog, Rosie, leading her to leave the establishment. Joanne Hewitson, 31, described feeling "livid" and "shaking" following the incident, which occurred last month during what was her first outing since sustaining a back fracture in January.
Hewitson and her partner, Craig, had stopped at the Ward Jackson pub for breakfast before heading to the coast. Despite Rosie, her guide dog of approximately five years, wearing a harness with a nationally recognised logo and behaving impeccably under the table, a staff member approached and requested an ID card for the dog. Hewitson explained that she did not carry such a card and that legally it was not required, but the staff member allegedly continued to demand it, citing company policy.
Feeling unwelcome and at a disadvantage compared to other customers, Hewitson, her partner, and Rosie ultimately left the pub. She noted that she had previously visited Wetherspoons with Rosie without any issues. The experience was particularly upsetting given her recent recovery, and she emphasised that Rosie is an essential part of her life, acting as her eyes and enabling her independence.
Following the incident, Hewitson shared her experience on social media and reported it to Guide Dogs UK. She stated that numerous other assistance dog owners commented on her post, reporting similar encounters. This suggests a broader issue regarding understanding and adherence to accessibility laws concerning assistance animals.
A Wetherspoon spokesperson, Eddie Gershon, has since issued a full apology for the situation. He clarified that guide dogs are indeed welcome in their pubs without the need for documentation, acknowledging that an error was made on this occasion. The pub's area manager is scheduled to meet with Hewitson to offer a face-to-face apology, aiming to address the misunderstanding directly.