DINER OUTRAGE
Shocking moment Yo! Sushi worker tries to bar TikTok star’s guide dog from restaurant
A RESTAURANT worker refused to let a blind woman's guide dog into a Yo! Sushi branch in central London.
Video footage shows radio presenter and TikTok star Lucy Edwards, 28, fighting back tears after being told dogs were not allowed.
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The staff at the Bond Street branch repeatedly told Lucy, who lost her sight at 17, and her fiance Olly, that her dog Molly cannot be inside.
This was despite the couple telling him it was against the law to refuse entry.
In the video, while demanding to speak to a manager, Lucy said: "You can't tell me that my guide dog is not allowed... You're breaking the law."
She and Olly then threaten to call in the police, before a manager appeared to say that the dog was allowed.
Lucy then can be heard demanding an apology, informing him of the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act.
Now part of the UK Equality Act 2010 after Brexit, it grants access to guide dogs and their owners to the majority of services, venues, and vehicles.
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Employees were then told she had the right to report the incident to the police.
Referring to her dog, she explains: "I cannot get around without her, and you guys are refusing me entry to your establishment.
"Basically you are discriminating against a blind woman."
The workers eventually offer Lucy a table, but she decides to leave after becoming audibly upset.
As she leaves, she tells staff she will be reporting their branch, adding: "Read up on the law and never do this to a guide dog owner again."
The clip was uploaded to Lucy's YouTube account on September 20, which has more than 390,000 subscribers.
Lucy Edwards, who was the first-ever blind presenter on BBC Radio 1, said the UK was progressive on disability rights.
But she told MailOnline the law needs to change to protect guide dog users.
Basically you are discriminating against a blind woman
Lucy Edwards
A Yo! Sushi spokesman told Sun Online: "We are disappointed and sorry about the experience that Lucy Edwards had at our Bond Street restaurant.
"One of our colleagues made a mistake, and of course guide dogs are welcome in all of our restaurants.
"Creating an inclusive environment for all of our customers and team is important to us and this incident does not reflect our values.
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"We are undertaking a thorough review to ensure that YO!’s values are reflected in all interactions and practices across our business, so none of our guests are made to feel this way in the future."
They added: "We have contacted Lucy directly to apologise for her experience and invite her contribution into building awareness and shaping our ongoing training processes."
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