Anger as Hornchurch Country Park Visitors Centre Bans Dogs From Cafe Area.

Hornchurch Country Park is predominately made up of dog walkers who use the park and then access the Ingrebourne Visitors Centre cafe.

As from last week, a notice went up informing park users that their dogs were not welcome in the cafe anymore, leaving dog walkers not being able to access the cafe.

Kelly from Rainham who uses the park regularly told the Havering Daily: “The notice went up last week much to the surprise of many. It was a piece of paper in the window stating that after a review, dogs were not allowed in the cafe area.

“There are so many of us that use that cafe in groups everyday. We go for a walk, then sit in the cafe area and have a coffee and snack. It is a busy area with lots of groups and their dogs. Since the ban on dogs, the place has become a ghost town.”

Another dog walker visited the cafe last week, ordered his coffee and was then told he could not come in with his dog. The dog walker was baffled and politely asked then if he was expected to drink his coffee in the snow as his dog was not allowed in? As a result, the dog walker cancelled his order and left.

Kelly continued: “We enquired why this ban had been put into place and all we have been told is that after a review, they had decided to not allow dogs in the cafe area.

“If they have had an incident with a dog and his owner, then ban that dog, don’t penalise all dog walkers.

“Due to this ban we have now left the park and go to Harrow Lodge where are dogs are allowed in the cafe.

“It’s sad as the cafe had a really nice community spirit and most of the revenue came from dog walkers.”

Kelly finished:”Many locals have boycotted the cafe in protest as we feel discriminated against.”

The Havering Daily contacted Essex Wildlife Trust who run the cafe for a response, but one has not been given so far.

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