"In the summer of 2021, I was denied access to sit inside the Costa Coffee on Wembley High Road. I was quite shocked as Costa is such a well established chain across the country. That was the moment I told myself, 'I will one day do something to make a difference'."
"Matin said the refusal to allow Wendy in had happened at various premises, which she put down to a lack of awareness of either what an access dog is - or the laws businesses must follow."
"Costa Coffee's official policy is that 'assistance dogs remain welcome in all branches' and that it continues to train staff to ensure customers 'feel included'."
Hanna Matin, a Liberal Democrat councillor, has faced repeated refusals of entry to businesses with her guide dog, Wendy. After qualifying for the dog in 2021, Matin has worked to raise awareness among local businesses about the rights of disabled individuals. Supported by Guide Dogs UK, her efforts have led Brent Council to address firms that deny access to assistance dogs. Matin's campaign was inspired by her own experiences of being turned away, emphasizing the need for better understanding of access laws.
Read at www.bbc.com
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