Guide dogs could get a warmer welcome on the high street following the launch of a campaign.
Guide Dogs Access All To The High Street is designed to raise awareness of the problems faced by blind and partially sighted people when they are out and about, particularly in busy retail centres such as Churchill Square, Brighton.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the British Retail Consortium jointly launched the campaign, which is backed by Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper.
Shops, banks, restaurants and pubs are all targets for the campaign and will be offered practical advice on understanding the needs of visually challenged people.
Mr Lepper, who chairs the parliamentary group on town centre management, said: "I know in Brighton and Hove many businesses welcome guide dogs.
"But I want all town and city centres to ensure that all vision-impaired people can enjoy the same rights, opportunities and responsibilities as everyone else.
As part of the campaign, Guide Dogs for the Blind has launched The Guide Dog's High Street Charter, which offers a good-practice guide on ensuring all guide dog owners receive a warm welcome and a good service.
It can be found on www.guidedogs.org.uk/access
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