NEWS RELEASE: 20/6/09

Two businesswomen have protested about the 'dog's dinner' establishments are making of their rules on admitting pets - by holding a canine tea party.

Maggie Morgan and Helen Wilkinson launched a gourmet canine menu and VIP dog table at the event at their tea shop in a bid to persuade other businesses to adopt a more welcoming attitude.

Maggie, whose pet Gertie died six months ago, says she was turned away from dozens of food and drink establishments during the cocker spaniel's lifetime.

And with dogs also banned from many of the city's golf courses, beaches, historic squares, schools, cemeteries and private businesses, Maggie and Helen want their upmarket tea shop, Metrodeco in Brighton, to be at the forefront of a more welcoming approach to Man's Best Friend.

They opened their doors to more than a dozen pooches for a 'doggy tea party' to announce their bid to make the shop the most dog-friendly business in Brighton.

Helen said: "I have a dream that one day we will live in a city where our loved-ones will not be judged on whether they own a tail and a wet nose but by the content of their character.

"Nine out of ten dogs are perfectly well behaved and there's absolutely no reason why they should be refused permission to sit quietly at their owner's side while he or she is having a drink or a bite to eat.

"I can promise that friendly, well-behaved dogs will always be welcome in Metrodeco and to prove it we have added a range of home-made meat and vegetarian dog snacks to our menu and we have set aside one of our tables for our four-legged customers. We are even thinking of introducing Yappy-hour.

"Many establishments in Brighton & Hove are making a dog's dinner of this issue so we are doing that too to highlight a problem that needs fixing."

Maggie added: "Dogs have a very special part to play in the lives of their owners and we wanted to provide them with the same high-end experience as their customers get.

"In Europe you always see people with their dogs in cafes. We don't see why Brighton should be different and given the feedback we've had neither do the public.

"We've had dogs queuing up to get in. The other day a lady's pet went missing and we found him outside the shop looking for a treat."

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

1. PIC CAPTIONS:

0354: Derek Jermey enjoys a cup of tea with his Airedale Terrier Buffy

0346: Owner Helen Wilkinson serves artist Romany Bruce and his dog Toolan.

0348: Buffy waits for table service

0356: A breather for Maggie (Morgan) and Helen (Wilkinson) as the feast continues inside Metrodeco.

2. Metrodeco Tea Salon is at 38 Upper St James's Street, Brighton. The tea party was on Tuesday, July 28th, at 12 noon.

3. Dogs were served the new menu at their tables, which were laid out with high-end dog bowls and napkins. The meal choice centred around six healthy home-made meat-based (and one vegetarian) treats. All biscuits were gourmet - some contain omega oils and flax seed oil, while others were designed for dogs with allergies. Please see Metrodeco's new dog menu below.

Helen Wilkinson and Maggie Morgan are available for interview by calling Mike Taggart on 07827 233582 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Notes end

Metrodeco's doggie menu

Gertie's Meaty Treats
Chicken livers, vegetable oil, parsley, wheat flour, rolled oats and chicken stock
Brimming with vitamin A copper selenium
4 treats 50p

Porsha's Potato Patties
Ground beef, instant potatoes, grated carrots and powdered milk
Nutrionally similar to a meal
2 treats 60p

Patsy's Salmon Cookies
Salmon fresh parsley, egg vegetable oil and whole-wheat flour
Contains omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids- good for dry skin

Dixie's Tuna Delight
Cornmeal, whole-wheat flour, baking powder and tuna fish
Benefits your dog's skin and coat, a good source of vitamins E and D

Kafka's Cupcakes
Whole -wheat flour, baking powder, rolled oats, finely grated carrots
Black molasses, eggs vegetable oil
High in vitamin A and potassium, a healthy treat - your dog will love
40p per cupcake