The pub company, which prides itself on being pally with pooches, has many sites near popular dog walking routes and already offers water bowls and snacks from the bar. Now customers are being encouraged to order a free meal for their mutt at the same time as ordering their own meal.
Menus, which will be introduced in May in four of the group’s pubs, include doggy delicacies such as salmon, duck and lamb, alongside snacks such as liver brownies and liver & cranberry biscotti. If successful, the initiative could be rolled out across the whole group so more customers can enjoy a meal with their canine companion.
Red Mist Leisure managing director Mark Robson said: “We have always prided ourselves on being dog friendly and welcoming well-behaved dogs to our pubs. Many of our sites are located near popular walking routes and attract customers looking to enjoy the countryside with their four-legged companions. We are confident our new doggy menu will be a huge hit with our customers and their dogs.”
Naturo brand manager Claire McCann added: “For dogs around the country, a walk to the pub has long been rewarded with only a dish of water and the odd morsel from owners' plates, but now they can tuck into a complimentary meal. A family walk is a great way to strengthen that special emotional connection with your dog, and stopping off at a pub to enjoy a drink and bite to eat is a great British institution.”
Pubs participating in the trial are the Cock Inn, Headley, Epsom, Surrey; the Stag on the River, Eashing, Surrey; the Duke Of Cambridge in Tilford, Farnham, Surrey; and the Exchequer in Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire.