Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
‘If people don’t like dogs in pubs, then this probably isn’t the place for them’
The landlord of a popular pub with a food menu for dogs says if you don’t like pooches this probably isn’t the place for you. The Thomas Becket in Canterbury was recently thrust into the spotlight after its canine exclusive cuisine - featuring roast dinner and fish and chips - went viral.
As well as serving up the dishes for £5, owners can also feed their hungry hounds an array of ice cream, £3 martinis, snacks, and even a £6.50 meal deal.
Many supporters have applauded the Becket’s unusual menu however, others have taken a more cynical approach to encouraging pets into pubs.
But even so, dogs can often be seen sitting on stools feasting at tables inside the inn dating back to 1775. One wall is even bedecked with more than 500 polaroids of previous furry visitors.
Explaining why his Best Lane establishment is so animalfocused, publican Chris Lurcook said: “When we came here originally, we struggled to find somewhere that was dogfriendly enough. “Usually they’re dog-friendly but only in the garden, or only in that corner, or you must have it on a lead.
“I wanted to make it a place where pets could come off the lead and have their own menu.”
With prices starting from £1 for a snack, the landlord first served pup grub in October 2022, when he took over the business.
The 44-year-old added: “The doggies get to choose what they want.
“For every owner that comes in there is always one who comes out for a walk and then has to go home to feed them. “Here, they can come in and buy dinner for their pet too. “People come into the pub and the first thing they ask for is the canine menu.
“If I could monetise the extra custom we get because of all the dog stuff, it would be astronomical.”
Of course, some punters are not such fans of four-legged friends.
“There’s that old saying. Dogs are welcome but humans are tolerated,” Mr Lurcook joked. “We're not a pub to say no to any pet but we're also not a pub to say no to a customer. The balance is difficult.
“Most people know we are dog-friendly, so they will make their decision based on it. “Some people don’t like them in restaurants or are scared of them, but I’ve never had a dog try to burn my pub down, but I have had children pulling wires and stuff.
“If someone doesn’t like it, this is probably not the place for them.
“The benefits outweigh it though.
“It's worth the sacrifice of the people that don't want to eat in
a dog-friendly pub.”
The menu is supplied by Sir Woofchesters and has starters, mains, drinks and desserts for dogs.
There is even bark beer and a paw-star martini.
Mr Lurcook’s own hound Rocco lives in the pub, and can often be seen greeting customers and sitting next to them on chairs.
Pooches are welcome on all the furniture and in all areas of the listed building.
The Thomas Becket’s friendliness towards pups has gained
attention on social media. The dog wall - which includes a photo of the city’s famous cat Griffin - grew rapidly and the landlord is now running out of space to hang the pictures. He added: “Someone came in recently and said they found us on Tiktok because someone had done a video with the wall and the menu.”
Local blogger Barry Reynolds shared a picture of the menu on Facebook after visiting with his cocker spaniel Murray. Mr Reynolds, who lives in Folkestone but travels around
Europe with his four-legged friend, told this paper: “One of the problems that we have is whenever we go anywhere, London or anywhere like that, is getting treats or food. “So often what you have to do is go to the supermarket and I don't like tying my dog up outside because there's a lot of theft out there.
“So you're always in a predicament when you have a dog and they need feeding.
“If you can find a pub that offers food, that's brilliant. And it will increase trade for them as well.
“Most have treats, but it’s not a meal and they aren’t very nutritious.”
The six-year-old pooch visited the Canterbury boozer this month, and chowed down on roast dinner and ‘bar burgers’, with all Sir Woofchester meals being grain and wheat free. But, the cocker spaniel is “fussy” and did not like the bark beer he was also served at the Thomas Becket.
His owner recalled: “I took him to Marseille once and treated him to rice and salmon costing €18. He refused to eat any of it.”
A spoiled pup, Murray has
Not everyone is convinced by the special dog menu been to 13 countries on adventures with Barry.
Other than the Best Lane pub, Murray’s favourite dogfriendly Canterbury inns include the White Hart Inn, the Black Griffin and The Lady Luck.
Murray has an 8,000-strong following on Facebook, but Mr Reynolds did not expect the huge reaction he received. He explained: “I just took the picture randomly.
“I didn't really expect it, but it's just been shared so widely. “95% of people commenting are all in favour and really think it's a good idea.
“I think there's a few people who just think it's horrible, but most people really like it.” On the post, Sam Doggett commented: “I think it’s great that pubs are doing dog dinners. I think they have realised that walkers, and their dogs, need food after a long walk. “It’s a good way to bring in new footfall.” However, not everyone is so on board with doggy diners, with Jessica Bason writing: “Absolutely not! I am a dog lover and owner.
“I am also somebody who works in the food industry. “Please leave them home, especially when it’s not a service dog.”
Dawn Jones added: “When did we become so entitled that we take our dogs out to dinner? It's ridiculous.
“Unless it is a service animal it shouldn't be present at a dinner table.”
Murray enjoyed the service at the Thomas Becket so much he returned three days later to sample the rest of the menu. Any profits from the sale of Sir Woofchesters meals, which are largely made of naturally flavoured biscuit and kibble, will be donated to charity, with Canterbury-based Angels for Dogs the most recently chosen one.