Unless you own a dog, you won’t be fully aware of how frustrating it can be to find a pub that opens its doors to dogs. And there’s good reason for this. For the owner of the establishment, whether it’s a pub, café or hotel, the prospect of letting customers bring in their pet can fill their heart with dread.
What they might not be aware of is the size of the market that they are excluding. Figures from the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association in 2015 show that there are 8.5 million pet dogs in the UK, making up close to a quarter of all households (24 per cent).
Being dog-friendly is essential to this market. 70 per cent of UK dog owners research pubs before visiting and one in three struggle to find a suitable dog-friendly pub.
If you want to appeal to this market, what areas are important to pet owners?
Water bowls spread around the pub, inside and outside.
Staff that are welcoming to dogs
Food available for dogs
Easily visible dog etiquette rules
Outdoor space
Once you’ve put in the changes, you need to make sure locals and visitors are aware of your new found status. There are several websites that list dog friendly pubs in the UK including Doggie Pubs and DogBuddy.
Dog friendly pub furniture
If you are considering making your pub dog-friendly, you may first need to consider your furniture. To cater for pets, furniture needs to be robust. Shabby chic décor also ties in well with a pub that provides facilities for dogs.
For more information and recommendations on tables and chairs that are ideal for a dog-friendly pub, call us today on 0116 2989 897.