CREDITON Town Council is taking the lead in its efforts to launch a Dog Friendly Retailer Scheme.

Former Town Mayor and a current Town Councillor, Guy Cochran, explained that dogs have always been welcomed with their owners at many Crediton businesses, but said that many had no idea which businesses were welcoming.

Cllr Cochran has been surveying Crediton businesses and explained: “I have visited 50 businesses so far and 30 have agreed to sign up to the Crediton Town Council Dog Friendly Retailer Scheme.

“We have also spoken to some of the businesses outside of the High Street and main town area and these include Homeleigh Garden Centre, Tuckers Country Store and Mole Avon.

“What we intend to do is give stickers to all those businesses who sign up so that the public can see exactly which businesses are dog friendly.

“I hope that spreading the news of the scheme will increase the number of visitors to the town and that it will increase the footfall and thereby the income for the wonderful businesses we have in our town.”

Mr Cochran said that the council will publish the complete list of where dogs can enter businesses in the town when the visits have been completed.

If you are a business owner and would like to sign up, email: [email protected] or telephone 01363 773717.

Separately, free dog excrement bags are available at the council’s offices off North Street, Crediton.

Mr Cochran added that Devon has a high dog ownership rate with many households having multiple dogs.

He said that some households have two dogs each or more.

The Dogs Trust say that the national average is of 0.5 per household but in some areas of Devon this is greatly exceeded.

For hygiene reasons, no supermarkets in the UK are dog friendly, but all must allow assistance dogs under UK law.