Shepherd Neame is set to get tails wagging at Kent’s annual Paws in the Park dog show this week as it launches its first ever pop-up dog ‘pub’.
The ‘pub’ — called The Dog and Bear — will be at the two-day event at the Kent Showground in Detling, near Maidstone, on Saturday and Sunday (17th and 18th September).
Dog owners will be able to get their paws on limited edition Shepherd Neame dog bandanas and ceramic dog bowls. The bandanas, embroidered with the brewer’s logo, come in red, blue, and green, in medium and large sizes, and with a collar loop design or tie-back.
There will also be a section of the stand where owners and their dogs can have a selfie taken. Four £50 Shepherd Neame gift cards will be up for grabs for the best posted on social media over the weekend (tag @shepherdneame on Instagram or Facebook).
The brewer will be showcasing its new limited edition Shepherd Neame Dog Friendly Treats, made using spent grain from the brewing process. The treats have been created in conjunction with the Tunbridge Wells Dog Biscuit Company, and will be available for sale on the stall, and for dogs to ‘try before they buy’. They will be on sale alongside a new limited edition Shepherd Neame ceramic dog bowl.
Peckish pups will also be able to snack on Jude’s Ice Cream for Dogs, which is normally on sale in 15 of its pubs and hotels, while stocks last. Made using dog-safe ingredients, it is plant based and uses real fruit puree to create a tasty treat which comes in strawberry, apple or banana flavoured 100ml tubs. Five per cent of sales go to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
Well-behaved owners will also be allowed into the Dog and Bear to buy and take away with them some of Shepherd Neame’s award-winning beers. Paws in the Park is an annual event attracting more than 20,000 people and 10,000 dogs for pet-related fun with games and activities, arena displays and dash n’ splash, as well as dozens of trade stands.
Joanna Richardson, Shepherd Neame’s director of marketing and communications, said: “We are really excited about launching our first pop-up dog ‘pub’ at Paws in the Park! Shepherd Neame prides itself on being dog friendly, with the majority of our 300-strong estate across Kent, London, and the South East welcoming well-behaved pets, so this is also a great opportunity to encourage people to visit our sites with their four-legged friends.”
As part of its efforts to raise awareness of its dog-friendly approach, Shepherd Neame is also set to hold a sponsored dog walk with its charity of the year, Kent Wildlife Trust, in October. Walkers will be able to raise funds for the charity and enjoy some of Kent’s most beautiful scenery, while also learning about how dog walkers can help the environment.
