A MALVERN stationery shop has turned out to be top dog for the way it welcomes canine customers.

Austin & Co of Belle Vue Terrace won the High Street category in the 2014 Kennel Club Be Dog Friendly awards and is now calling for other local businesses to follow in its paw prints this year. The card and stationery store topped the poll in a public vote and is now urging other local businesses to open their doors to dogs and benefit on both a social and financial level.

Sean Austin, owner of Austin & Co said: "We were delighted to win the award and since then we have certainly noticed an increase in the number of dog visitors. With the ‘pawfall’ comes the footfall, and if this means that customers can shop in a relaxed, un-rushed atmosphere knowing their dog is safe with them, rather than being tied to a lamppost or left in the car, then so much the better.

“From day one, our customers have always been the most important part of the business. In Worcestershire, it is estimated that almost 136,560 people live with a dog and so we are thrilled to offer an enjoyable service for so many dogs and people.

“Businesses that are already dog friendly should get involved with the Be Dog Friendly Awards and encourage their customers to get voting.”

With more than nine million dogs in the UK, and around one in four households owning a dog, the great British public are always on the look-out for places where their four-legged family members are also welcome, and the Be Dog Friendly Awards recognise businesses and places to visit that go that extra mile for our canine comrades.The competition, held in association with Dog Friendly, is based solely on public vote and aims to break down barriers for man’s best friend by encouraging more businesses to adopt a dog friendly policy.

This year's competition runs until Tuesday, September 15. To recommend and vote for your favourite dog friendly places or businesses, go to www.bedogfriendlyawards.co.uk. Everyone who makes a nomination or votes will be entered into a free prize draw to win a Samsung camera and Amazon vouchers, with runner up prizes of ten pairs of tickets to Crufts and Eukanuba Discover Dogs.