Shrewsbury shopping centres to be ‘dog friendly’ from 17 February

Shrewsbury’s Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside shopping centres will be ‘dog friendly’ from Monday 17 February [2020], meaning dogs will be welcome in all three centres.

To celebrate, one lucky dog and their owner will have the chance to help formally declare the centres ‘dog friendly’ at a small ceremony on the morning of 17 February.

The competition is being run on the Shrewsbury Shopping Centres social media channels (see notes). People simply need to tag the centres in photos of their pooches and pups. One lucky dog and their owner will be invited to the opening ceremony, and others have the chance to win a personalised dog bowl and a gift card to spend at one of the centres’ stores.

Kevin Lockwood, Shrewsbury shopping centres manager, said:

“We’re delighted that, from 17 February, the three shopping centres will be officially ‘dog friendly’ and we look forward to welcoming dogs and well-behaved owners into the centres!

“Please feel free to bring your dog into the centres when you visit. All we ask is that you follow our ‘code of petiquette’, and that you check with individual stores for their policy on allowing dogs in-store.”

To mark the centres becoming dog friendly, and to celebrate Valentine’s Day, people are also being invited to share some ‘puppy love’ with Guide Dogs UK and some of their trainee pups on Friday 14 February. To meet the team and have a cuddle with the pups, just visit the Workshop Station on the Upper Level of Darwin Centre between 11am and 3pm. You can find out more on the centres’ Facebook page.

Kevin Lockwood added:

“It’s the perfect opportunity to find out more about the work that Guide Dogs UK carry out, as well as our exciting plans to make the Darwin Centre more accessible, comfortable and enjoyable for all, with our renovated toilet facilities and brand new family room and Changing Places facility that are set to open later in the year.”

Until now, only guide and assistance dogs have been allowed inside the Pride Hill and Darwin centres.

For more information go to www.shrewsbury-shopping.co.uk.

Further information

To follow Shrewsbury shopping centres on social media, go to:

Facebook: @shrewsburyshopping
Twitter: @shop_shrewsbury
Instagram: @shrewsbury_shopping

Doggy Dos and Don’ts!

People bringing their dog/s to the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside shopping centres, are asked to follow the simple ‘petiquette‘ outlined below to ensure an enjoyable visit for all.

• Your dog remains your responsibility whilst visiting the centres.
• Please keep your dog on a lead at all times while visiting the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside shopping centres.
• Please ask stores for their individual doggy policy.
• Please don’t leave your dog unattended or unsupervised at any time.
• Please do not let your dog onto the escalators for their own safety.
• Please don’t let your dog cause a nuisance by barking, jumping up at or pestering fellow shoppers.
• Please clean up after your dog.

Issued on behalf of Shrewsbury shopping centres