Blind Staffordshire man 'humiliated' after Father's Day pub row

BBC News

17-06-2025

A blind man said he felt "humiliated" and was "left in tears" after he was forced to leave a pub when a row broke out over a table booking.Wayne Pugh, from Stoke-on-Trent, said he was disrespected by staff when his family went to the Chatterley Whitfield in Tunstall on Saturday for an early Father's Day celebration.It came after the table he booked specifically to allow enough room for his guide dog, Liberty, was unavailable, leading to the family being given another table Mr Pugh claimed was not suitable.A spokesperson for the pub said they were sorry Mr Pugh felt let down and a full investigation was being carried out.
Mr Pugh told BBC Radio Stoke: "In all honesty, I just wanted to sit there crying. I'm fed up with these access issues - 88% of guide dog owners go through it."He went to the pub with his mother, father and brother, having booked a table months before, but once they arrived, they found out the table had been given to a larger party.He said they were given a different table but it meant his dog Liberty was in the way of customers, who had to clamber over her to get to the bar.
His mum and brother were overheard at the bar saying they would "leave a Google review", Mr Pugh said, when a member of staff ordered them to get out of the pub.When Mr Pugh got up to leave, he said a "complete stranger" accused him of swearing and causing trouble.He said he was then approached by a staff member, who told him he could "clearly see" the number of customers they had, referring to the problem over his booking.Mr Pugh said it was this comment that caused him so much upset, leaving him "humiliated, dismissed and in tears"."It cuts like a knife because obviously my guide dog and me are invisible to them. They're not seeing me for me and my disability," he added.
'Make this right'
Mr Pugh posted about the row on Facebook, which has been shared more than 6,000 times and garnered 5,700 reactions and 1,500 comments.He said it was the latest incident he had experienced, having previously had taxis drive past him when they spot his dog, and shops acting like he was a "nuisance".While he did not hold any hatred for the pub's staff, he wanted to see changes and wider awareness of blind people's situations."Everywhere I go there is a possibility that someone is going to say 'you're not welcome'…let's make this right," he added.A spokesperson for Chatterley Whitfield, which is owned by Greene King, said it was investigating the incident, which they described as "isolated" and said they would carry out further training for their staff."As an inclusive business we want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our pub. We recognise that on this occasion that the guest felt let down, and we apologise for that," they said.
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