Everybody and their dog will be heading to the coast for the mouth-watering Saltburn Food Festival on Sunday July 29.
And organisers would like to remind people that if they find themselves at the festival with their four-legged friends there are lots of options to ensure they don’t get crushed in the crowds.
They’ve been working with several dog-friendly businesses on the festival fringe to ensure you can enjoy the day without taking your pet into the centre of the site.
Plans include a doggy chill out zone, a walking and boarding service and even a hotel selling non-alcoholic beer brewed locally especially for thirsty consumers of the four-legged variety.
The idea is that dog lovers can feast to their hearts’ content, sampling the delights of the festival while their faithful friends enjoy some exercise or whine and dine in more suitable surroundings.
Organiser Lorna Jackson explained: “A food festival is a really bad environment for a dog, with all the people and the noise – not to mention the delicious hot food being eaten all around them.
“I’m a dog owner myself and I certainly wouldn’t take my Dalmatian, Lily, in among those crowds. But we do want everyone to enjoy the day with us and we’ve come up with some great ideas to help dog owners who can’t simply leave their pets at home.”
Milo’s Café owner Janet Dalton with Milo, her sausage dog, Star Paws’ Redcar manager Sammy-Jo Parker, food festival co-coordinator Alison Nelson with her springer spaniel, Max, and festival organiser Lorna Jackson with her Dalmatian, Lily, an RSPCA rescue dog.
The chill out zone is in Station Street’s Destinations café, which is currently in the process of being rebranded as Milo’s dog-friendly café.
The café’s new owner, dog groomer Janet Dalton, hopes family members and friends will take turns looking after their pet and trying out their own special festival menu, while the others head off to the heart of the festival.
“You don’t need a dog to come in but if you have one you’re very welcome,” says Janet. “Last year I came to the festival as a customer and noticed a lot of people had dogs in among the very large crowds. That can be problematic for the dogs and also for other people."
“But I understand why people want to bring their dogs and by providing a safe, calm area on the edge of the event, we give them a chance to escape from the crowds for a while and have a drink and something to eat in a place that wants the dogs to be there.”
Janet is applying for a licence to serve alcohol so that dog owners will be able to bring their pets out while they relax with a drink and food from a tapas-style menu.
Meanwhile, five-star dog walking and boarding service Star Paws, which recently changed its name from Paw Pals, will have a large presence at the festival and expects to be kept extremely busy. You’ll find them at one end of Milton Street – near the entrance to Sainsbury’s car park.
“Most of our 25 full and part-time staff will be working,” said branch manager Helen Turner. “Alongside our usual home boarding at one of three licensed homes in Saltburn we’re also offering walks and short stay doggy day-care sessions specifically for the food festival.
“Our prices range from £10 to £40 and there will be a 10% discount if you book in advance via our Facebook page.
“It’s great to be able to help ensure that dogs can be part of the day with their family but that they also have somewhere to go where it’s not so busy, and they are the focus of attention.”
Festival organiser Lorna Jackson with her Dalmatian, Lily, an RSPCA rescue dog, Star Paws’ Redcar manager Sammy-Jo Parker, Café owner Janet Dalton with Milo, her sausage dog, and food festival co-coordinator Alison Nelson with her springer spaniel, Max. Photos by Doug Moody
Dog lovers from outside the area will also find a welcome at the Spa Hotel, on Saltburn Bank, which prides itself on being a dog-friendly establishment. As well as accommodating dogs in ground-level rooms, it also has a dog menu featuring pizza and sausages and sells Woof Dog Beer.
General manager Karen Green said: “We spotted a niche in the market that we could accommodate and people love us for it. We also have dog-friendly areas throughout the premises including the snug, bar and outside decking.”
Elsewhere on the festival fringe, Taste Tea & Coffee House on Dundas Street East will be open from 9am to 4.30pm with dogs welcome in all areas and free dog biscuits and bowls of drinking water also available.
With so much on offer for everyone, you’d be barking mad to miss it!
Saltburn Food Festival takes place on Sunday July 29 from 10am to 6pm and admission is free. A park and ride system will be in operation from Guisborough, Brotton and the outskirts of Saltburn. For further information and updates visit www.saltburnfoodfestival.co.uk.
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