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Shopping centre dog policy questioned after pensioner steps in poo
10/01/2023
Shopper describes incident as “disgusting” but Centre defends access policy
Castle Quay Shopping Centre’s policy of allowing dogs into the building has been called into question after a pensioner stood in dog excrement close to the customer services desk in the heart of the centre. The shopper has described the experience as “disgusting” and feels the centre weren’t really bothered about her predicament.
But Castle Quay management plan to stand by their dog friendly policy “in line with multiple dog friendly retail destinations in the UK”.
The person (who wishes to remain anonymous) told Banbury FM she visited Castle Quay in December and needed to use the toilet. As she walked away from the facility in the corridor she stood in something which appeared to be excrement. She reported it to the nearby Customer Services desk and asked if it was from a human, but says she was told “no its dog poo”.
The lady says she wasn’t offered any help to clean up.
She said: “Its disgusting. I shouldn’t have to be walking along looking down in case I tread in dog poo.
“It makes me feel very wary of dogs in there. They shouldn’t be allowed in without a lead on and it makes me very wary about stepping in anything again.”
The lady spoke to someone from the Castle Quay management team on the telephone after the incident and received an email thanking her for the “feedback” and saying the matter would be investigated. She says she hasn’t heard anything else since and feels she still is yet to receive an apology.
Banbury FM raised the issue with Castle Quay. A spokesperson told us: “Well-behaved dogs are welcome inside Castle Quay and Lock29. It is very rare that a visiting dog has a mishap when visiting both premises. When this does happen, the onus is on the owner to clean up after their dog. In the instance they do not, the centre’s cleaning staff will rectify the problem as soon as they are aware.
“Being a dog friendly destination is important for the centre and town, and in line with multiple dog friendly retail destinations in the UK, including all John Lewis stores, Liberty, Bicester Village and Westgate Shopping Centre, to name but a few.
“We are very sorry that on this occasion the individual in question witnessed a visiting dog going to the bathroom inside the centre. Our Customer Services Staff are briefed to inform the relevant teams when issues arise like this, so they are cleaned immediately. This is a rare occurrence – the majority of our visitors who bring their dogs to the centre are very responsible.
“We want to assure the public that our team responded and cleaned up the problem as soon as possible. The centre prides itself on its cleanliness standards, which is demonstrated by the fact the centre has just been recognised at the annual Loo of the Year awards. The centre has been given the Platinum status award for its toilet facilities, which is an incredible achievement and all thanks to the diligent onsite cleaning team.
“Our senior management team have had an in-depth conversation with the individual who made the complaint at the time of the incident and have let the individual know that she can come to us to discuss the situation further if she still has any remaining concerns.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam
Clare Watts On 10/01/2023 at 11:27 am
There will always be one or two dog owners who will not pick up after their dog but the vast majority will. Seems wrong to punish the majority for a minority so I’m glad a castle Quay is going to ban dogs. Maybe a notice saying if dog owners don’t pick up after their dogs they will be heavily fined might help.