More and more pubs across the UK are adopting a dog-friendly policy, even going as far as to put out signage, water and treats to entice four-legged friends. We’ve looked at the factors you might want to weigh up before deciding to go dog-friendly and should you go ahead, how to welcome dog owners and choose the best dog-friendly pub furniture options.
Should you go dog-friendly?
In a survey of the hospitality industry conducted by the Kennel Club, 98% of dog-friendly pubs believe that business has improved due to dogs being allowed on the premises. Many of these owners stated that they saw more social interaction between guests and an improved atmosphere when dogs are in their establishment.
Whilst many pubs are welcoming canines and the benefits they can bring with open arms, some are choosing not to go down this route citing reasons such as hygiene, children’s reactions to dogs and the possibility of badly-behaved pups. Britain’s largest pub chain JD Wetherspoon banned all non-service dogs from its premises back in 2018, explaining that this is because they welcome families with children who can be unpredictable around dogs or scared of them.
Before going dog-friendly, there are some key factors you need to consider:
- Do you serve food? If so, you may want to consider if you’re able to provide an area where dog owners can eat with their pets away from other diners who may not want to eat around dogs.
- Do you have a lot of young children visiting your pub? Younger children can be unpredictable around dogs and sometimes scared of them, meaning dogs and children may not be the best mix. Again, a separate area for dogs and their owners may be the solution as parents then have the choice of sitting in a dog-free area if they have concerns.
- Is it safe? If you serve food or hot beverages you may need to consider how much of a tripping hazard a dog could be to waiting staff. If this is the case, one solution could be to ask dog owners to keep their pets on a lead or ask them to keep dogs out of walkways for safety reasons.
Top tips for a dog-friendly pub
There are a few things you can do to both welcome dogs (and their owners) to your establishment and ensure no disruption or mess is caused.
- Make water bowls available inside and outside
- Add clear signage welcoming dogs
- Add that dogs are welcome to your website and social media channels
- Set out some free treats – a kind gesture that will let owners know you are dog-friendly
- Ensure employees are aware that you are dog-friendly when asked by patrons
- Decide on where dogs can sit with their owners – a designated area for dogs, or a designated area where dogs are not allowed will please both dog owners and those who don’t want to sit near animals. This can be especially important if you serve food in your establishment
- Establish pet etiquette rules (you can share these on your signage and website).
- Have dog-friendly furniture
Dog-friendly pub furniture
The best way to avoid any dog-related damage, scents or mess is to ask patrons to not allow their dogs to sit on furniture during their visit. However, you can go one step further by choosing dog-friendly furniture pieces, at least in the areas where dogs are allowed.
The most dog-friendly materials are varnished woods, metals and vinyl. Trent Furniture offers a range of chairs and tables in these finishes – from traditional oak dining chairs through to colourful metal seating with a retro vibe. These materials are easy to care for and can be wiped down with ease on a daily basis, so even if they gain a few mucky paw prints they can be cleaned up with minimal effort.
If you’re really concerned about table or chair legs receiving the occasional scratch or chew, then cast iron legs look fantastic in a traditional pub setting and are incredibly long lasting (and bite resistant!)
If you have soft furnishings in your restaurant, dog hairs and scent can be an issue. You may want to vacuum these soft furnishings more frequently and deep clean them as and when it is needed. Check out our full guide to cleaning furniture for more in-depth tips and instructions.
View our full range of pub furniture here.