Care is on the menu

GUIDE dog owner Jan Gibson has given an award to a Chinese restaurant for its customer care for blind and partially sighted people.

Last Friday Rasa Sayang of High Street, Royston received an award for excellent service and customer care.

Mrs Gibson presented the award to restaurant owner and manager Li Li Teoh.

Li Li said: "I really wasn't expecting it, after all we're just doing our job.

"We are only too happy to have guide dogs on the premises. Mrs Gibson has been coming here for years and she's a valued customer."

Mrs Gibson, who said that she has always received assistance when at the restaurant, nominated Rasa Sayang for the award after being impressed with its accommodating staff.

Mrs Gibson said: "They make sure that when my husband and I eat here, we are given a table for four, meaning there is plenty of room for my guide dog, Dipper."

The award was part of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's Open Your Doors Golden Ribbon campaign, which aims to educate service providers on how they can best serve visually impaired customers and welcome their guide dogs.

"Li Li and her staff always make us feel welcome, including Dipper. They always make sure to put my drink in my hand and that I know where everything is.

"They even give us a doggy bag for Dipper when we leave," added Mrs Gibson.

The association asked Mrs Gibson, who is an official speaker for the charity, to nominate and present the award.

Charity spokesman Tom Pey said: "Although there are many examples of good practice, guide dog owners continue to encounter problems.

"It can happen in a variety of environments from shops, hotels, pubs and restaurants.

"We are working with all sections of the service industry to ensure that in the 75th anniversary of guide dogs in the UK, they and their owners receive the same standards of service as everybody else.