A BLIND man was left “immensely distressed” after he and his guide dog were ordered to leave a Meirionnydd shop.

Andy Terry, from Stoke-on-Trent, was in Fairbourne last Friday afternoon on one of his regular visits to his sister who lives in the area.

Whilst enjoying a “very pleasant” visit to the seaside village, Mr Terry - who is registered blind - decided to escape the wind and rain by visiting Fairbourne Mini Mart on Beach Road.

To his shock and dismay, he and his dog ‘Flame’ were told to leave the store as dogs were not allowed in the Mini Mart “under any circumstances”.

Despite Guide Dogs Cymru informing the owner of the shop, Robert North, that he had broken the law, the shopkeeper was defiant, saying he and his customers found dogs in shops “extremely offensive”.

Mr Terry said: “I went into a shop – a Mini Mart owned by an A & J North according to the banner above it. I was approached by a tall, elderly man who curtly asked if he could get anything for me. I thanked him and replied that I was just browsing.

"He then told me that there was a sign on the door saying no dogs were allowed in his shop under any circumstances. I immediately told him that my dog was a guide dog. He said ‘no dogs under any circumstances’.

“I explained I was legally entitled to go anywhere that was open to the public.”

When contacted by the Cambrian News, Fairbourne Mini Mart owner Robert North admitted the incident had occurred but showed little remorse.

Mr North said: “There was no need for the dog to come into the shop, there’s a sign on the door clearly stating that there are to be no dogs under any circumstance. His dog was sniffing around the bread and my customers and I find that extrememly offensive.”