Sunderland Echo

Canine cafe welcomes in man’s best friend at last

- Sam Johnson samuel.johnson@jpimedia.co.uk @ThatSamJJo­hnson

A cafe which was taken over by two sisters in 2020 has finally been able to welcome customers back under their new ownership for the first time as coronaviru­s restrictio­ns ease.

Cafe K9 was taken over by Washington sisters Layla Lowery and Kerry O’Hair in October, and has been operating as a takeaway since December.

Now the dog-friendly cafe has finally been able to welcome customers for the first time under the new ownership and have been blown away by the positive response.

After taking over, Layla and Kerry spent months putting their own stamp on the business, refurbishi­ng the cafe, expanding its offering and adding more outdoor seating.

The sisters say their hard work is finally paying off and the pair are delighted to be able to see the smiling faces of customers and canines taking advantage of their outdoor area.

Co-owner of K9 Cafe, Layla Lowery said: “It’s brilliant to be able to welcome people properly and have them actually sit at the cafe.

"I can’t believe it when I look out the window people are sitting on the decking enjoying themselves and the dogs are having fun in the garden, it makes it all real. It’s just nice to have it as intended rather than a takeaway.”

Despite the takeaway offering helping the business tick over until restrictio­ns were lifted, both Layla and Kerry have been dreaming of finally being able to welcome customers and are already looking forward to welcoming them inside in May.

Layla added: “We really can’t wait for May now to be able to welcome people inside, especially with how the last few days have gone.”

Under the new ownership, Cafe K9 is offering homemade food and afternoon teas to both people and dogs and in the future are planning to run dog birthday parties and socialisat­ion classes.

Owners Layla and Kerry both have a catering background and a love for dogs, so when the opportunit­y to take over the business came up last year, it was one they couldn’t pass up.

Cafe K9 is located on Spout Lane, in Concord and is open from Tuesday to Sunday. For more informatio­n, visit the Cafe K9 Facebook page.

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Cafe K9 owners Layla Lowery and Kerry O’Hair

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