DOG owners are furious that an area set aside specifically for four-legged friends has been moved.
Huttons Courtyard Café at the Stables Visitor Centre in Hylands Park has been open to dogs and their owners since it opened in 2007.
But as of Saturday, February 16, it was announced that dogs were no longer welcome in the courtyard of the café, which also includes some small shops.
Lary Foley, 74, walks his Springer Spaniel, at Hylands Park three to five times a week. "This completely disgusted me," he said. "I went there and found, as most other people have in the last few days, that the courtyard has been closed off to dogs.
"The fact of the matter is that what they have done is without any consideration for the public."
After speaking to members of the management staff at the café, Lary said he was told that the reasons behind the decision were based on health and safety grounds.
"I totally agree that dogs in the area should be on a short lead but what they have done discourages us from using the café and their justification is totally non-existent. You do not arbitrarily impose rules on the public without asking them," he added.
Jane Dellar, 44, goes to the park every Saturday with her mother and two-year-old German Shepherd, Zach.
"We enjoy the park – and have done so for 30 years – it should be for everyone and not involve segregation," said Jane from Danbury.
"I often do not want to sit among screaming children running around, but I accept that when you are in a public place, this is what you have to put up with these days.
"Sadly, the same cannot be said for dogs and their owners, who make less noise and clear up their own mess and still get segregated. I think this really will detract from their business," she added.
Hylands Park said that a new extension area of the café called The Patio has instead been designated for dogs, but this has less than impressed customers.
"The new area is dreadful," said Jane. "There's a toilet in the courtyard but there are no facilities at the back. You have to tie your dog up outside and leave it out of sight, which no dog owner wants to do."
A statement released by Hylands Park said that due to the popularity of the Courtyard Café, a new seating area had been created that welcomes dogs.
"The new extension is situated to the left of the courtyard and is fully equipped with garden furniture, umbrellas and surrounded by yew bushes, which by the summer will offer customers a pleasant seating area," the statement said.
"Lone dog walkers will be able to use a buzzer to get direct access to Huttons.
"The Patio will be dog-friendly with bowls of water provided and a lead post.
"The courtyard will become a dog free zone for the comfort of all visitors."
