A study done by raw dog food company Ethically Raised has concluded that Manchester is the 3rd most dog-friendly city in the UK, based on the amount of bars, restaurants, pubs and cafes in the city that advertise dogs being welcome.
The study revealed that Manchester has 66 dog-friendly restaurants, with 90 online searches for dog-friendly cafes, and 170 searches for dog-friendly restaurants, per month. Manchester placed above the likes of Liverpool, London and Bristol overall – but this doesn’t surprise us.
Manchester has been home to dog-friendly venues including Mackie Mayor, Trof and Seven Bro7hers for years, and most new openings that pop up tend to welcome furry friends. These often also offer benefits for the dogs themselves, with comfy areas for them to chill out, outside spots for those so inclined, and treats such as puppy ice cream to keep them occupied.
Pooches are in fact welcome in many Manchester shops, such as Piccadilly Records, Oklahoma and COW, meaning your dog-friendly day doesn’t have to stop at coffee and a cake. Add to that the variety of parks and green spaces dotted around the city, and you’ve got yourself an entire day out with your pup!
It’s actually no wonder that interest in dog-friendly locations is so high in Manchester – take a walk through the Northern Quarter and you’ll see just how many city-dwellers come in a package with a dachshund or Italian greyhound. There are even Instagram accounts dedicated solely to documenting and appreciating the dogs of Manchester, like dogsofmcr, showing the love we have for our pooches, even without the traditional house and garden to contain them in.
The study seems to have shown how the city is adapting to the needs of those living, eating and socialising in Manchester, and with Transport for Greater Manchester considering making the Metrolink permanently dog-friendly, Manchester is truly on its way to becoming the UK’s pooch capital, prioritising dog owners and lovers.