The biggest pub chain in Britain, JD Wetherspoons, enforced a nationwide dog ban in 2018. The regulation remains effective this year, and reversal of this decision is not in sight. The company was quite transparent and explained the reason behind the dog ban.
The Dog Ban Has Long Existed
JD Wetherspoons has adopted a “no dogs” policy shortly after it was founded in 1979. However, for the past decades, the chain’s policy is said to have been lenient based on the discretion of branch managers. Thus, some Wetherspoon pubs permit dogs on the premises.
The company’s spokesman, Eddie Gershon, clarifies that after much consultation, the dog ban will be strictly enforced and is officially set to be effective on the 10th of September 2018. There will be no dogs sighted in any of its branches all over the country.
Dogs are not allowed in all land managed by the pub chain, including beer gardens, car parks, and even pavement areas.
Exemptions Made for Assistance Dogs
JD Weatherspoon only allows assistance dogs on its premises. They can stay inside and in the beer gardens.
The company requires dog owners to put recognisable leads, collars, or harnesses on their assistance dogs. Moreover, bringing relevant documentation that explains the dog’s “purpose” is also recommended but not mandatory.
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Why the Nationwide Dog Ban
“We realize that this may seem quite strict, but our pubs are busy, with families and younger children present, and we serve a lot of food. Even well-trained dogs can sometimes behave unpredictably.”
The statement also cited hygiene concerns. A Wetherspoons employee revealed that the hard-working staff had been exhausted from picking up dog poo.
Aside from these concerns, the company points out that some children behave unpredictably around dogs. Moreover, some patrons are afraid to be around pooches.
To resolve such conflicts, JD Wetherspoons reached the decision to straighten the previous light-touch policy on pets.
Dog Ban in Wetherspoons Aroused Mixed Feelings
The nationwide implementation of the dog ban garnered mixed reactions from pub chain patrons. Some drinkers and diners welcome the change.
Many dog owners, on the other hand, were not happy upon hearing the dog ban in Wetherspoons. Several people appealed to the owner, Tim Martin, to reconsider his decision. However, it seems that the dog ban is permanently here to stay.
FAQs About the Dog Ban in Wetherspoons
1. Are Dogs Allowed in JD Wetherspoons?
All breeds of dogs are not allowed in JD Wetherspoons. However, an exemption has been made for assistance dogs as long as they wear distinguishable harnesses, leads, or collars.
The company advises owners of these dogs to bring documentation that states their purpose, but it isn’t a mandatory requirement.
2. Why Is Wetherspoons Not Dog-Friendly?
Wetherspoons is not dog-friendly since it implemented a nationwide ban for all dog breeds. According to the company’s statement, a handful of reasons caused them to set this stringent policy, such as:
- Risk of dogs make messes (e.g., pooping inside the establishment).
- Some patrons are afraid of dogs.
- Children may behave unpredictably around dogs.
Conclusion
Wetherspoons has had a “no dog” policy in place ever since the business inception, but it was not strictly implemented. Due to hygiene and safety concerns, the company decided to enforce the dog ban stringently.
Unfortunately, this leaves dog owners no other choice but to look for a dog-friendly pub where their four-legged friends can tag along.