The landlord of a pub with a particular menu only for dogs admits his metropolis centre inn is “probably not the place” for punters who don’t like pooches.
The Thomas Becket in Canterbury has been thrust into the highlight after its canine-exclusive delicacies – that includes roast dinners and even Paw Star Martinis – went viral.
But whereas catering for hungry hounds has received the pub a number of animal-loving followers, some cynics say dogs haven’t any place in a venue serving meals.
Publican Chris Lurcook, nonetheless, says his pet-friendly strategy is right here to remain, saying dogs will nonetheless be seen sitting on stools and feasting at tables on the 18th-century boozer.
Such is his dedication, that the partitions of the pub are even bedecked with greater than 500 polaroids of earlier furry guests.
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Explaining why his Best Lane institution is so animal-focused, Mr Lurcook stated: “When we came here originally, we struggled to find somewhere that was dog-friendly enough.
“Usually pubs are dog-friendly, but only in the garden, or only in that corner, or you must have it on a lead.
“I wanted to make it a place where pets could come off the lead and have their own menu.”
Mr Lurcook first began dishing up ‘pup grub’ after taking up the business in 2022.
The meals is provided by Sir Woofchesters and largely fabricated from naturally flavoured biscuit and kibble.
As effectively as dishes for £5, house owners also can feed their hungry pets ice cream, £3 ‘martinis’, £1 snacks, and even a £6.50 meal deal.
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The menu features a ‘roast dinner’ of dry pet food made up of hen, candy potato and peas, served with drumstick-shaped treats comprising hen breast, rice and soy protein.
Elsewhere there are ‘bark burgers’ within the form of beef and hen patties that may be washed down with ‘Paw Star Martinis’ – a cocktail of water, coconut sugar, hen flavouring, vanilla flavouring and passionfruit.
“The doggies get to choose what they want,” 44-year-old Mr Lurcook stated.
“Owners who go into a pub on a dog walk often have to go home to feed them.
“Here, they can come in and buy dinner for their pet too.
“People come into the pub and the first thing they ask for is the canine menu.
“If I could monetise the extra custom we get because of all the dog stuff, it would be astronomical.”
Mr Lurcook concedes some prospects are usually not followers of the four-legged pals.
“There’s that old saying, dogs are welcome but humans are tolerated,” he joked.
“We’re not a pub to say no to any pet, but we’re also not a pub to say no to a customer.
“The balance is difficult.
“Most people know that we are dog-friendly, so they will make their decision based on it.
“Some people don’t like them in restaurants or are scared of them, but I’ve never had a dog try to burn my pub down, but I have had children pulling wires and stuff.
“If someone doesn’t like it, this is probably not the place for them.
“The benefits outweigh it though.
“It’s worth the sacrifice of the people that don’t want to eat in a dog-friendly pub.”
Mr Lurcook’s personal hound – Jack Russell cross pug Rocco – lives within the pub and might typically be seen greeting prospects and sitting subsequent to them on chairs.
Dogs are welcome on all of the furnishings and in all areas of the listed building.
The Thomas Becket’s friendliness in direction of pups has gained consideration on social media.
The canine wall – which even features a picture of town’s well-known cat Griffin – grew quickly and the owner is now operating out of house to hold the images.
He added: “Someone came in recently and said they found us on TikTok because someone had done a video with the wall and the menu.”
Local blogger Barry Reynolds shared an image of the menu on Facebook after visiting together with his cocker spaniel Murray.
Mr Reynolds, who lives in Folkestone however travels round Europe with Murray, informed KentOnline: “One of the problems we have whenever we go anywhere, London or anywhere like that, is getting treats or food.
“So often what you have to do is go to the supermarket, and I don’t like tying my dog up outside because there’s a lot of theft out there.
“So you’re always in a predicament when you have a dog and they need feeding.
“If you can find a pub that offers food, that’s brilliant. And it will increase trade for them as well.
“Most have treats, but it’s not a meal and they aren’t very nutritious.”
Six-year-old Murray visited the Canterbury boozer lately and chowed down on roast dinner and ‘bar burgers’, with all Sir Woofchester meals being grain and wheat-free.
But, the cocker spaniel is “fussy” and didn’t just like the bark beer he was additionally served on the Thomas Becket.
His proprietor recalled: “I took him to Marseille once and treated him to rice and salmon costing €18. He refused to eat any of it!”
A spoiled pup, Murray has been to 13 nations on adventures with Barry.
Other than the Best Lane pub, Murray’s favorite dog-friendly Canterbury inns embrace the White Hart Inn, the Black Griffin and The Lady Luck.
Murray himself has an 8,000-strong following on Facebook, however Mr Reynolds didn’t anticipate the large response he obtained when sharing the menu.
He defined: “I just took the picture randomly.
“I didn’t really expect it, but it’s just been shared so widely.
“95% of people commenting are all in favour and really think it’s a good idea.
“I think there’s a few people who just think it’s horrible, but most people really like it.”
On the submit, Sam Doggett commented: “I think it’s great that pubs are doing dog dinners. I think they have realised that walkers, and their dogs, need food after a long walk.
“It’s a good way to bring in new footfall.”
However, not everyone seems to be so on board with doggy diners, with Jessica Bason writing: “Absolutely not! I am a dog lover and owner.
“I am also somebody who works in the food industry.
“Please leave them home, especially when it’s not a service dog.”
Dawn Jones added: “When did we become so entitled that we take our dogs out to dinner?
“It’s ridiculous. Unless it is a service animal it shouldn’t be present at a dinner table.”
Murray loved the service on the Thomas Becket a lot he returned three days later to pattern the remainder of the menu.
Any income from the sale of Sir Woofchesters meals are donated to charity, with Canterbury-based Angels for Dogs probably the most recent benefactor.
