Dog-friendly Friars Square leads way

Customers are now welcome to bring their four-legged best friends to Friars Square as the shopping centre becomes a dog-friendly destination.

Well-behaved dogs – and their well-behaved owners – can visit Friars Square and many of its shops and cafes too. Find the list of stores here.

Until now, the only dogs welcomed at Friars Square were assistance dogs. But centre manager Andy Margieson said all dogs can now visit with their owners.

“Many of our dog-owning customers will enjoy bringing an important member of their family on their shopping trips. A blanket ban was unfair on all the well-trained dogs who like being out and about with their owners.

“This move makes Friars Square more inclusive whilst also making life easier for owners who don’t want to – or can’t – leave their pets at home alone.”

Around half of the shops and food outlets have said they will also welcome dogs in and visitors are being asked to check before entering. Dog friendly tenants will have ‘Dogs Welcome’ signs in their windows.

Those welcoming dogs include Superdrug, Waterstones, New Look, Holland & Barrett, Metro Bank, Café Nero, BBs and many more.

Andy said: “Owners will need to show responsibility and follow the ‘petiquette’ we’ll be displaying around Friars Square. There are some basic doggy do’s and don’ts – such as always keeping dogs on leads and ensuring they do not bark or jump up.”

Friars Square has been given Dog Friendly accreditation by the dog-friendly destinations website dogfriendly.co.uk and has long been a supporter of the Buckingham-based charity Medical Detection Dogs.