Dogs and their owners are invited to follow town centre drinks trail to earn prizes
Ipswich’s first dog friendly pub and bar trail has been launched – with the chance for pampered pooches to earn a very smart bandana featuring some of the town’s most iconic buildings by leading their owners round a trail of eight pubs.
Ipswich Borough Council and Ipswich Central have joined forces to launch not just the doggy trail but a historic Ipswich one as well.
The two trails together feature 15 pubs and bars located in, or close to, the town centre. By visiting every establishment on the trail, buying a drink and getting a trail card stamped, participants can earn prizes including a collectable enamel pin badge, a dog bandana and an exclusive eco-friendly reusable coffee cup featuring Wolsey’s gate.
Commenting on the launch, Ipswich Central CEO Lee Walker said: “These trails deliver a double benefit for Ipswich. Fifteen bars and pubs will see a boost to their trade and local people and visitors to the town can enjoy discovering new places. If participants complete the whole trail, over the six weeks it will run, they can also claim some lovely prizes which is an added bonus.”
People who manage to complete both the doggy trail and the historic Ipswich one will be able to collect a stylish reusable coffee cup bearing an image of Wolsey’s gate. The cup has been manufactured to the highest environmental standards and comes complete with a handy carrying case.
Lee Walker added: “We wanted to offer a quality prize that people would find useful rather than something cheap and disposable – the cups are really stylish.I'm expecting demand to be high so urge people not to dilly dally as stocks are limited.”
Ipswich Borough Council supported the trail as part of its work to improve Ipswich’s economy.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Ipswich Borough Council Leader, says: “The centre of Ipswich has some wonderful bars and pubs, each with its own unique character and ambience. I hope people will enjoy discovering somewhere different to go for a drink or a meal out. Many dog owners tell me they aren’t sure where they can take their canine friends, and this will also help those people find places that will make their dogs welcome.”
People wanting to take part in the trails can pick up a leaflet from any of the 15 pubs and bars taking part or the town hall reception. There is also an option to download and print out a copy of the trail at home at www.allaboutipswich.com/sipswich
Participants have to buy at least one drink from each venue on the trail to claim a prize. Any drink is valid - does not have to be an alcoholic one although the trail does feature some of the town’s best kept beers and two venues which brew their own ale for those who like to partake.
The trails will run for around six weeks during March and April 2025 or until all the prizes have been claimed!
