New Eastbourne dog friendly guide launched

The guide lists walks, dog-friendly cafés, pubs, restaurants and hotels, pet stores, groomers, vets, and kennels, with each business issued with a dog-friendly window sticker to ensure they are easily identifiable.

The Friends of Eastbourne Seafront is behind the guide, which is produced thanks to funding from the VisitEastbourne Tourism Development Fund – set up to subsidise new initiatives which help to increase footfall and visitor spend in the town.

Applications were open exclusively to current members of VisitEastbourne – Eastbourne Borough Council’s Tourism arm, with the fund also supporting the August food festival A Taste of Victoria Place, along with a new Dog Fayre taking place at the Chatsworth Hotel on 5 November and several marketing initiatives to be announced.

The Friends of Eastbourne Seafront welcome team, Seafront Office and Eastbourne Visitor Centre will distribute the guide, which is also available online at VisitEastbourne.com/pet-friendly and at a number of dog-friendly venues across the town.

Councillor Margaret Bannister, Eastbourne Borough Council’s Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure, Accessibility & Community Safety, said, “The South Downs, the sea and Eastbourne’s beaches are all on the doorstep so it’s great to see so many local businesses welcoming our four-legged friends.

“I am sure this fantastic guide will enable dog owners to find what they are looking for and explore new places to go and things to do with their dog.”

It is hoped that a report produced by the Friends of Eastbourne Seafront will encourage more businesses to open their doors to canine customers. The report outlines the advantages of becoming dog friendly and the steps needed to provide a quality experience for all.

The Friends of Eastbourne Seafront will also be launching a responsible dog owner campaign and a photo competition, where residents and visitors can send in photos of their dogs enjoying Eastbourne for the chance to win a limited edition Dog Friendly Eastbourne dicky bag, designed by guide and window sticker designer, Amanda Ripley designs.

The launch of the new guide coincides with dog lovers being asked to vote for Eastbourne or any specific dog services in the national DogFriendly Awards by the end of October.

The awards are an opportunity to recognise and reward dog friendly places and pet businesses that go the extra mile for the benefit of the UK’s 12.5 million dogs and their owners. Winners of the DogFriendly Awards in each of the categories are chosen by public vote.

To vote visit https://www.dogfriendly.co.uk/awards by 31 October.