Dog-friendly businesses welcome furry visitors in Hexham

Hexham Town Councillor and owner of eco-friendly home store Matthias Winter, Alison Smith, suggested introducing a dog-friendly scheme to increase tourism and benefit business.

Cllr Smith said she was inspired by Keswick town's dog-friendly status.

"I had noticed people with dogs popping their heads around the shop door and asking if they could bring their dogs into the shop. I was aware that Keswick was a dog-friendly town and began to think it would be a good idea if Hexham could also become a dog-friendly town."  

She contacted Keswick Town Council to learn more about their experience of being dog-friendly.  

Hector the Maltese puppy at Northumberland Antiques Centre. Inset: The dog-friendly sticker for businesses (Image: Northumberland Antiques Centre)

"My thinking was that if visitors could see the same sticker in every dog-friendly shop, cafe, or restaurant window it would make it easier for them to enjoy their time in the town and avoid having to ask everywhere if they could take their dog inside."

Other town councillors supported the idea and Hexham Town Council covered the cost of the stickers, printed by Robson Print. 

Janie French from Hexham Community Partnership designed the sticker.

Cllr Smith added: "I was conscious that not every business is dog-friendly and that no business should feel pressured to participate.  

"It was very much intended to be an opt-in scheme rather than an opt-out. The aim is to make a visit to the town as simple as possible for dog owners, not to pressure businesses to participate. Many businesses are participating though and lots offer water and dog treats for their furry visitors.

"From my business point of view, the more visitors we can welcome, the better and we love meeting our customers' dogs. From a town perspective, if dog owners know the town is dog-friendly they may be more likely to visit Hexham, to stay longer in the town and hopefully to return."

Deborah Anderson, manager at Hexham Community Partnership, said providing this information is also useful for those with dog allergies.

"One of the questions our volunteer Town Hosts are asked most often is where people can take their dogs in Hexham - that's a long list and it's often easier for hosts to tell them the few places where they can't take their pup," she said. "It's also useful information for those with dog allergies or people who simply aren't keen on dogs."

Cllr Fairless-Aitken's dog, Ivor, at The Boatside Inn (Image: Suzanne Fairless-Aitken)

Town and county councillor Suzanne Fairless-Aitken, who is a dog owner, said: "Our Hexham Town Council stickers make it easy to identify which shops and businesses are dog-friendly without asking or it being awkward. It's a relief to go for a lovely walk in our green spaces with our furry friends and be able to relax with them afterwards."

Ivor at The Fox in Hexham (Image: Suzanne Fairless-Aitken)

Businesses in town, including jewellers and cafes, also claim it benefits trade to welcome dogs with their owners.

Jeweller Sarah Hickey said: "People often travel from afar for their engagement rings and don’t want to leave their dog in the car - it definitely helps business to welcome them. In fact, we have so many people come in with dogs that we keep a jar of dog treats at our Beaumont Street boutique." 

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Laura Brownsteele of LORE on Market Street said: "We have some dog treats out next to our dog section and take a photo of any dogs who shop with their owners and they go on our doggy 'wall of fame'. Most owners get to see the photo being printed there and then and they love it. We are also creating a 'ball library' so that owners can borrow a ball on their way to the nearby park and drop it back off  - if they still have it - on their way back."

Angela Wilson, owner of Small World Café, said they get a lot of dogs visiting the cafe. "They especially like the fact their owners often buy a sausage for them as a treat," she said. "We have one lovely dog Dolly who won't walk past the cafe without a pat, stroke or a hello. She lives in the flats behind the cafe and comes to the back door and says hello every morning when I'm prepping before we open. I think she drags her owner in."

Clare Edwin, owner of Lolla Mac, said: "When I was setting up my new jewellery shop and studio on St Mary's Chare, my husband's main priority was to make sure I had dog treats under the counter and a 'dog-friendly Hexham' sign on the window. He clearly knows what's important. I had a couple in recently and asked if their dog would like a biscuit and they actually turned it down because he'd already had so many!"

Carla Rowley of The Grapes pub said: "We couldn’t make it through a summer without being dog-friendly," while Mandy MacDonald of Hair by Mantra said: "We are a dog-friendly salon and we allow dogs to come in with owners while they have a haircut."

Janie French from Visit Hexham said: "Hexham Old Gaol welcomes dogs, which is often a nice surprise for visitors. Our free Heritage Tours are dog-friendly as are the new Hexham Hidden Horrors tours. Obviously, Hexham's central parks and the lovely runs at Tyne Green are a big plus for dog owners. My Tibetan Terrier, Dita, loves life in Hexham and is fond of a trip to Cogito Books followed by a relaxing lie down in a café. She's all about the free treats!"