Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner is joining Guide Dogs UK in their High Street Heroes campaign, which aims to create a conversation about access rights for guide dog owners and encouraging businesses to be as accessible as possible.

Many guide dog owners face obstacles to accessing businesses across the country, with nearly 81% facing an access refusal, despite this being an unlawful breach of the Equalities Act. This has caused guide dog owners to feel like second class citizens.

Guide Dogs UK are calling on businesses to display stickers saying ‘assistance dogs welcome’ and to welcome assistance dogs on the premises.  They are also encouraging a discussion with businesses about the legal rights of people with assistance dogs so that no one is unlawfully turned away from the business,.

Daniel Zeichner MP said: ‘Guide Dogs UK are providing an invaluable service and their campaign is relevant… Assistance Dogs are a vital help for people across the UK and are critical to the lives of many. While the law clearly states that refusing access due to a guide dog is unlawful many businesses have still done so. The High Street Heroes campaign is a great way to remind people of their responsibilities under the law and to encourage businesses to welcome assistance dogs and their users into the stores.  I call upon all businesses to welcome guide dogs into their premises and join this campaign.  I will stand firmly behind Guide Dogs UK in their campaign and they have my full support.’