Pet cafes have undeniably grown in popularity across the UK over the past decade, with cat cafes in particular leading the force.
If licensed and operated humanely, these cafes can become key spaces for visitors to decompress and relax in the company of animals.
Kensington is a multifunctional, inviting space which provides an array of different services for customers.
Described as a community hub and matcha heaven, Big City Dog, which opened in 2023, offers a traditional pet store experience, with the unique addition of a matcha-centered coffee shop, dog grooming salon and bookable sessions with the resident dogs.
Store owner Anaïs, who is originally from but has been living in the UK for five years, explained her dog Tokyo was a key motivation for setting up the store.
She added the available green spaces in London, such as Kensington Gardens, were another key motivator for her move.
Anaïs said: “I used to go to a dog cafe when I travelled to the US, and I really loved it.
“Because I had a corporate job, I wanted a role where I felt it was more like a happy place than just a job to pay the bills.
“We actually moved to London because I used to come here for work, and Tokyo and I loved Kensington Gardens.
“Tokyo especially loved it because, where I used to live in Paris, it was not as nice, so we thought ‘Okay, we need to live here’.”
Big City Dog offers bookable sessions for up to five people to relax and unwind with resident dogs Tokyo, Pablo, Bertie and Margot.
Anaïs noted the psychological and emotional benefits which can be created from spending time with their four-legged friends.
Anaïs said: “Hanging out with dogs has a really nice effect on people.
“The sessions tend to attract people who love dogs but cannot have one, or who are on holiday and miss their own, we have a lot of them.
“People often bring their kids along too to see if it’s a good idea to get a family dog.
“I think it’s a relaxation thing, but also, to me, just being around dogs soothes me, so I think it can offer the same for everyone.”
According to data shared by PDSA, 51% of the UK are pet owners yet only 10% of London landlords allow pets in their rental properties.
Around 55% of Londoners also rent their homes, according to data from Trust for London.
The difficulty in finding suitable rental properties has arguably contributed to a surge in pet-oriented cafes within the capital.
General manager Oliver noted his role at Big City Dog as an ever-diversifying one.
He said: “Since we’ve opened, it’s been super dynamic in the sense that we’ve had to implement new services, we kind of learn as we go in of what’s popular, what’s bringing people in.
“So it’s a role that’s definitely kept me on my toes in that sense.
“I feel like we introduce something or we move something around almost every month.
“Obviously everyone has a shared ion here with dogs, but a lot of people are now coming in for the cafe too.”
Online Google reviews from the store particularly noted the focus on the wellbeing of both resident dogs and those visiting for the grooming services.
Dogs are not kept in cages nor tight spaces pre or post-groom at the in-house grooming salon.
Instead, they are let free in the relaxation area to ensure the experience is as positive and stress-free as possible.
Visiting customers praised the store’s evident calming atmosphere and noted it as a haven for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of central London, too
While running the store has been a fulfilling process, Anaïs was transparent with the difficulties that come with overseeing a pet-oriented business.
She said: “For now, we are still trying to find the perfect formula to make it work smoothly.
“We’ve been open for two years, but we have changed the place so many times and changed the service to find the balance.
“Even though I love dogs, it’s actually really difficult to have it as a business, it is a very hard industry where you cannot really make any mistakes because people are understandably very sensitive about their dogs.
“It’s actually harder than just having a coffee shop because everything has to be top drawer.”
More information on Big City Dog, such as booking forms and grooming enquiries, can be found on their website and their Instagram page.
All pictures: Ellie Gelber
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