Is banning dogs from a beauty spot cafe a bit ruff? The National Trust has put the pets in the doghouse at its White Cliffs of Dover visitor centre because some have stolen food and caused disruption by barking. The policy has led to complaints online, and some owners KentOnline spoke to at the Langdon Cliffs site this week questioned why the rule is in place. Trust bosses say dogs have caused “a number of incidents” in the past, leaving customers “feeling uncomfortable”.
But Dawn Hawkes, a lifetime member of the trust, says the policy puts her off visiting, even though her membership allows free entry. The trust charges non-members £6 to leave their car at the site, which features tiered parking at the back of the visitor centre . “It’s a real shame you don’t allow dogs,” Ms Hawkes wrote online.
“I was told last time to leave them outside while I ordered. I’m definitely not going to be doing that. “My dogs possibly have cleaner paws than most walkers and they don’t sit on the seats.
” Jane Coratti, of Dover, who has two pomchi dogs, Raja and Meeko, told KentOnline this week how she also thinks it “turns people away”. “I don’t agree that they don’t allow dogs in,” she said. But Ms Coratti said she was still willing to visit the cliffs because her dogs are allowed with her on the centre’s outside terrace.
Married couple Matt and Lizzie Cragg, of Elms Vale in Dover, were enjoying the area this week with border collie Chip when KentOnline .
