Dogs now welcome in Eastbourne’s Beacon shopping centre

All dog owners can now take their four-footed friends into The Beacon in Eastbourne after the new centre managed dubbed the ban ‘unnecessary and antiquated’.
By Laura Sonier
Published 18th Oct 2021, 09:49 BST
Updated 18th Oct 2021, 10:40 BST
James Roberts, director of The Beacon, with Barkley and other four legged visitors to the centre with their owners (L to R: Finn, Bonnie, Barkley and Ringo). Photo by Peter Cripps SUS-211018-094248001James Roberts, director of The Beacon, with Barkley and other four legged visitors to the centre with their owners (L to R: Finn, Bonnie, Barkley and Ringo). Photo by Peter Cripps SUS-211018-094248001
James Roberts, director of The Beacon, with Barkley and other four legged visitors to the centre with their owners (L to R: Finn, Bonnie, Barkley and Ringo). Photo by Peter Cripps SUS-211018-094248001

All dog owners can now take their four-footed friends into The Beacon in Eastbourne after the new centre managed dubbed the ban ‘unnecessary and antiquated’.

Until recently only guide and assistance dogs have been allowed into the shopping centre but new director – and dog owner – James Roberts has introduced the change.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

James, whose beagle Barkley often accompanies him to work, said, “I think banning dogs is unnecessary and antiquated. “A ban makes the assumption that dog owners do not have control over their pets which is not the case.

James Roberts, director of The Beacon, with Barkley and other four legged visitors to the centre with their owners (L to R: Finn, Bonnie, Barkley and Ringo). Photo by Peter Cripps SUS-211018-094259001James Roberts, director of The Beacon, with Barkley and other four legged visitors to the centre with their owners (L to R: Finn, Bonnie, Barkley and Ringo). Photo by Peter Cripps SUS-211018-094259001
James Roberts, director of The Beacon, with Barkley and other four legged visitors to the centre with their owners (L to R: Finn, Bonnie, Barkley and Ringo). Photo by Peter Cripps SUS-211018-094259001

“The majority of owners have well behaved dogs and it just makes life a lot easier if they can be brought into the centre in line with a number of shops who now welcome dogs.”

Signs banning dogs have been removed from the centre and owners will be expected to keep their pets on a lead.

James added, “I want The Beacon to be inclusive and I’ve had really positive feedback about the change.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We won’t be putting signs up to ask owners to keep their dogs on a lead because I believe our customers will have the common sense to know that’s what is expected in a busy shopping centre.”

The new policy has been welcomed by DogFriendly.co.uk which has more than 59,000 businesses, including shops, hotels, self-catering properties, pubs and beaches, on its database.

Steve Bennett, from DogFriendly.co.uk, said, “I am delighted to hear that The Beacon is going to be allowing dogs. I’ve visited The Beacon in the past and was really disappointed I couldn’t take my dog into the centre.

“Despite the increasing number of businesses that do welcome dogs, it is still unusual for shopping centres so it’s great that The Beacon is being innovative and leading the way with this new initiative.

“We’ll be letting everyone on our database know that their dogs are welcome.”

READ THIS: What are the most popular dog breeds in 2021?

Related topics:James Roberts