A BAR manager has denied allegations of discrimination after a blind man

accompanied by his guide dog was refused service at a town centre pub.

Andrew Wharton, manager of the I.D bar on Market Street, Chorley, said

the presence of guide dog Valda was not the reason David Powell along

with his sister and her boyfriend were asked to leave.

He claimed the party had become abusive to his staff.

Football fan Mr Powell, 44, was in town on Good Friday accompanied by

his sister Julie, her boyfriend, Kevin Hinds, 41, and golden labrador

Valda.

They decided to have a few drinks at the bar at around 3pm, prior to

attending the Chorley versus Rocester match in the evening

Mr Powell, a call centre worker, said: "We walked in and Kevin ordered

the drinks and everything seemed to be fine, but then the barman came

back to us and said that his manager had told him not to serve us

because of the dog.

"Kevin said that she was a guide dog, but he repeated that he couldn't

serve us.

"We then asked to speak to the manager who came out and Kevin again

explained about Valda.

"He replied by saying that his beer was classed as food.

"I was offended, angry and very shocked by the incident. I have never

been treated in this way anywhere before.

"After leaving we went on to the Crown and then Last Orders in the town

centre before going to Victory Park, we had no further problems at all."

Mr Powell, who was brought up on The Avenue in Adlington, but now lives

in Leyland, also categorically denied any of his party swore or became

abusive to Mr Wharton or any of his staff.20

"Other customers close by saw what happened and saw that we behaved

properly," he said.

Mr Powell's sister Julie Powell, 31, of the Avenue, Adlington, said:

"When we are out Valda just lies at David's feet and doesn't move. How

could she possibly cause a problem especially if you think about how

some people behave after alcohol?"

"Even now days after, knowing how it must have made David feel makes me

so angry."

Mr Wharton, boss of the bar, which was formerly the Blob Shop until

taken over seven months ago, said: "I can confirm that a party of three

were refused service here on Good Friday.

"It was not because of the guide dog. When I came round from behind the

bar members of my staff were being sworn at and verbally abused by the

party and I will not tolerate that."

Tony Searle, communications spokesman for the Guide Dog Association,

said: "To bar a working guide dog from any premises contravenes the

Disability Discrimination Act. All dogs are specifically trained to

settle down and lie at their owners feet and should be made welcome at

all establishments."