Wetherspoons is a dog-free pub

MissInterpreted

Well, there are lots of places around here where dogs aren't allowed. Plenty of choice for everyone. Give me dogs over humans any day of the week. Much better company. When was the last time you saw a dog getting drunk and starting fights, for instance?

I agree with you on the humans who don’t control their dogs, don’t train their dogs, don’t clean up after their dogs and treat them like pampered substitute children to the exclusion of others around them.
Other humans are generally fine thanks.

MissInterpreted

Well, there are lots of places around here where dogs aren't allowed. Plenty of choice for everyone. Give me dogs over humans any day of the week. Much better company. When was the last time you saw a dog getting drunk and starting fights, for instance?

Well there aren’t any places here that are dog free, that I can think of so we ll have to disagree on that one MissInterpreted and I ve seen plenty of dogs starting fights but I ll give you the getting drunk comment!
You are really very black and white I will repeat I am NOT a dog hater but I prefer not to have other peoples dogs in a cafe or restaurant or anywhere that food is
We have a lovely big glass roofed hall open up a few years back with lots of different street food stalls and free music, craft fares etc, a lovely place Last year it was opened up to dogs, because it’s a large area there can be a dozen dogs in there at one time they can be barking, pulling trying to greet others, some indeed quietly sitting. But why ? there is a lovely seated area outside why can’t that be the doggie area ?
And
I hate having them in our shop some really smell doggie, they get bored and we are all suppose to lurve them

GrannyGravy13 It must be very difficult to find somewhere nowadays. Only one cafe in our town is dog free. My little fellow is very meek and sweet but I'm very aware that not everyone is comfortable around dogs so I always ask nearby tables. It must be awful to have just sat down to a lovely coffee & cake and be confronted with Mr & Mrs Dont Give Hoot and their 2 untrained "oh there just being friendly " dogs. As a dog lover myself I do feel for you .

A friend and I recently went to a posh cafe where they charge ridiculous amounts for hot chocolate and cakes etc. because they are right on the seafront. we went in because it was absolutely pouring. The stench from wet dogs was overpowering and trying to get to your table amidst a tangle of dogs and leads was like an obstacle course. Then you get the dogs that don’t like other dogs and sit there snarling at each other. Give me Wetherspoons any day!

That is good news, I do hope others follow suit.
On holiday last year our lunch was spoilt by several dogs being allowed in the dining room of what used to be a posh restaurant.

We are dog owners on holiday we don’t usually take our dog with us when going for a drink. I have noticed since lockdown most pubs have increased capacity and allowed dogs indoors to attract customers.

Last year in Wales we went to a favourite hotel of ours we have eaten there for years. To be honest we were totally put off it was packed with dogs like a doggy day care. We couldn’t enjoy our food because all we could smell was wet dog. There should be a separate area for dog owners and their pets. I can imagine it puts a lot of people off dog owners or not.

I hate Spoons anyway. Years ago in 2011 when planning our wedding we went in and asked about holding our reception there. Hubby was in the loo so I went to the bar and asked. There was only 2 other customers at the time so not exactly crowded and the barman literally just completely ignored me, even turning his back to me. There was another man with him who also ignored me so for a second time I asked and was again totally ignored. I felt creeped out and intimidated, and quite frankly, scared.

My hubby then came to the bar and all of a sudden they heard! But even then they refused to look us in the eye and we were gruffly told ''you'd have to be in the back'' ...where the other 2 were sat and both looked like druggies/alcos. We walked out.

A few weeks later we went to another Spoons in a different area, this time not for wedding enquiries but for lunch. The bloke behind the bar was as creepy as the other 2. We left.

Spoons will never ever get any custom from us!

Gwyllt - personally I'd rather have well behaved children and no dogs.

JenniferEccles

I have heard of the pub group which (fairly or unfairly) does have a bit of a down market reputation. I never been in one but like others I thoroughly approve of the no dogs policy.
It’s getting very difficult to find anywhere, even quite smart restaurants which don’t allow dogs so good for them.
Can’t you also top up your coffee cup there too?

I believe this particular pub chain also has a no music policy which I also approve of, and, along with no football, maybe we should give one a try.

Oh yes and the owner apparently was/is a Brexit supporter so another thumbs up!!

How can you know the reputation of a chain you haven’t heard of? Isn’t that a contradiction?

Your psychic powers are correct though - Wetherspoons are downmarket. They don’t cook the food, just warm up bought-in meals, and are often quite grotty. That, plus the fact that I dislike the owner, means that I very rarely go in them, but I think this is a good move, and the dog-free policy will attract punters.

I am a dog lover, not a hater, but can understand that there are people with allergies and those who are afraid of dogs. Why should they have to have them everywhere they go? I was reading about a support crocodile (or was it an alligator?) the other day - I wouldn’t want to have lunch with one of those at the next table, and the principle is the same.

Also, dogs fight. I was in a dog-friendly establishment once, and two dogs were growling at one another from separate tables, hackles raised and teeth bared. The owners were asked to leave (one of them was very annoyed to be asked🙄) but if a fight had started people on surrounding tables would have struggled to get out of the way and could have got hurt. I can understand pubs on regular dog walks allowing them into a designated area, so people can stop off for refreshments on a long walk, but this was in a city centre!

The usual response is that if people don’t like being around dogs they shouldn’t go where dogs are allowed, but these days that is as restrictive as not going where people were smoking used to be. Smokers used to argue that pubs were places to smoke, so asthmatics and people who just didn’t like the smell should stay at home. That feels incredibly selfish now, but it’s exactly the same as telling those with dog allergies or fears to lump it.

How can you know the reputation of a chain you haven’t heard of? Isn’t that a contradiction?
I have just realised you said you have heard of Wetherspoons, JenniferEccles . That makes far more sense - sorry about that.

Just a back up for the chain
I can’t stand the owner or his views so rarely go in but have been with the grandkids a few times The one here (and in the surrounding towns) are clean, bright very well kept with friendly young staff The food although, as you say, not cooked on the premises is pretty good the vegi breakfast excellent for the money and probably on a par as to what I’d cook at home and the constant coffee a really good idea
I think the owner has payed a blinder with banning dogs they do usually have an outside seating area so I m presuming they could go there ?
Love dogs (and cats) in the right setting in the woods on the beach by their fires at home around others peoples food isn’t the right setting

Oh Doodledg wouldn’t a “support alligator” be a brilliant way of getting a double seat to yourself on the train!
I too have never been to a “Spoons”and don’t have any particular urge to but there are lots of places where I never see dogs so presumably they are not universally welcome?
I was in a Côte not long ago - no dogs, Brasserie Blanc for lunch (their set menu is really good value) again, no dogs,
Pizza Express in the Euston Road yesterday - no dogs. Nor in the British Library cafe opposite.
Why all this fuss anyway? Grown women “scared of dogs” - what is that about?
Rosie occasionally lies under the table if I am having lunch in the village pub, but this is the country and we’re not too precious about that here.

I don’t like other people’s dogs in eating establishments either, but to be fair, I never go into Wetherspoons.

I'm penning a letter to our local Environmental Health department.
I object to dogs being allowed into the butcher's in our village.
He also proudly displays his 5 ⭐️ hygiene rating in the window.

AIBU?

MissInterpreted

I wouldn't set foot in a Wetherspoons unless I absolutely had to - awful places with a thoroughly horrible owner. Nothing to do with any policy on dogs. I have a dog, but we don't take him into bars or restaurants - but for all the dog haters, there are plenty of places which don't allow them in. So by all means, you go to Wetherspoons - I won't be joining you.

Not liking dogs in pubs or cafés doesn't mean people hate them, necessarily. Generally, I like most dogs but not where I go out to eat.

However, the last meal I had in a Wetherspoons was dreadful so I will avoid them if possible.

ixion

I'm penning a letter to our local Environmental Health department.
I object to dogs being allowed into the butcher's in our village.
He also proudly displays his 5 ⭐️ hygiene rating in the window.

AIBU?

😯

Food hygiene and dogs don't really belong in the same sentence, even if the dog has just been to the groomer's!

Yes, you really should, ixion

I like a pub with dogs! A favourite one has a friendly resident pooch.

Can’t say I often use a Wetherspoons, but to me they’re a bit like Premier Inns - clean*, comfortable, good value, and you know what you’ll be getting.

*any that I’ve been in have always been clean, anyway.

Sorry - YANBU
Send the letter

Callistemon21

MissInterpreted

I wouldn't set foot in a Wetherspoons unless I absolutely had to - awful places with a thoroughly horrible owner. Nothing to do with any policy on dogs. I have a dog, but we don't take him into bars or restaurants - but for all the dog haters, there are plenty of places which don't allow them in. So by all means, you go to Wetherspoons - I won't be joining you.

Not liking dogs in pubs or cafés doesn't mean people hate them, necessarily. Generally, I like most dogs but not where I go out to eat.

However, the last meal I had in a Wetherspoons was dreadful so I will avoid them if possible.

I'm not talking about just this thread in particular - every time dogs are mentioned on GN, it's clear that there are those who do hate them. As I said, I have a dog, but generally speaking, we don't take him to bars, cafes or restaurants unless it's good weather and we can be outside with him. And as I also said, certainly around where I live, there are plenty of dog friendly places and places where dogs aren't allowed - so there's something for everyone.

I've seen a couple of dogs lifted on to their owners' knees and eating off plates on the table in cafés.
Yuk.

ixion

I'm penning a letter to our local Environmental Health department.
I object to dogs being allowed into the butcher's in our village.
He also proudly displays his 5 ⭐️ hygiene rating in the window.

AIBU?

Do you remember when butchers used to hang eg rabbits or pheasants from hooks beside the (open) entrance to their shops? Or am I the only person old enough
Well as a boy back in the 1920’s or 30’s my Dad had a wonderful black Lab called Blossom (after Cherry Blossom boot polish) who used to sit on the pavement outside the butchers and wait until the butcher went through to the “back shop” when she would be up on her back legs, get herself a rabbit and disappear along the street to my grandparents two doors along. She was never apprehended in flagrante but the ears, fur , bits of bone etc were often found and she would be suitably chastised.

ixion

I'm penning a letter to our local Environmental Health department.
I object to dogs being allowed into the butcher's in our village.
He also proudly displays his 5 ⭐️ hygiene rating in the window.

AIBU?

TBH I don’t really see the problem, unless the butcher or his staff are habitually dropping unwrapped steaks or sausages on the floor, before handing them to customers. That is, unless any dogs present have thought ‘Hooray!’ - and wolfed them down within 1.5 seconds.

Coronation

Weatherspoons is always busy here. Friendly and quick service, the conversations and people talking create the buzz.

This ⬆️ is worth a hell of a lot. Especially for misophonic people and people who don't want dogs around when they're eating (which includes some people who like dogs).

One can have a conversation in Spoons. Many pubs and eateries are horribly noisy, with added rubbish muzak.

I see a problem. Dogs are not supposed to be allowed in food shops for reasons of hygiene. Dogs carry bacteria, that’s why if you’ve touched a dog (or any animal) you’re supposed to wash your hands before eating. For the same reason I don’t want them in restaurants where I am eating.

*I remember that, RosiesMaw.

What did surprise me, not more than 10 years ago, was coming round a corner in Oxford’s covered market with a Singaporean sister in law, to be confronted by a huge wild boar, hanging intact, upside down, outside a butcher’s shop!