Dog-friendly policies are on the rise in a village aiming to welcome four-legged visitors.
A scheme to make Burnham more accommodating to dogs and their owners is being led by small business owner Claire Hunter, the founder of Claire’s Comfy Canines.
She said: "Burnham has a vibrant community of dog owners, and we want to help make the village a place where they feel welcome and supported.
"By improving facilities and encouraging businesses to embrace dog-friendly policies, we can boost footfall, increase dwell time and strengthen our local economy."
Recent national data from DogFriendly shows that businesses that became dog-friendly for the first time in 2022 reported growth of 20 to 50 per cent, highlighting both the popularity and economic value of welcoming dogs.
As part of the campaign, Ms Hunter’s business has announced the installation of two new dog waste bins to help keep the village clean and encourage responsible pet ownership.
Window stickers have also been supplied for those businesses wishing to promote their dog-friendly status to visitors.
Claire’s Comfy Canines is marking 16 years of supporting dog owners in Burnham and the surrounding areas.
The business has expanded from a small local service into a trusted community hub for dog daycare, enrichment and owner support.
To celebrate Burnham’s progress, a photo event took place at Burnham Park Hall on 18 June at 11am.
One of the new bins is located adjacent to the bottom of the high street.
All are welcome to attend, including members of the public, councillors, journalists and, of course, dogs.
With more than 13 million dogs in the UK and dog-friendly venues seeing significant increases in customer spending and loyalty, Burnham’s dog-friendly push is seen as a timely and forward-thinking step.
Improved facilities and business engagement are expected to bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the community.
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