DOGS are banned at the Costa in Malvern after a sudden change of policy at the coffee shop.

The branch in Church Street, Great Malvern allowed customers to bring in their pets for a number of years – but now a sign has appeared on the door banning dogs from entry.

Paul Bennett, 57, who uses the shop regularly, said: “The shop has been dog friendly for years and we always used to take our dog in there.

“It seems now though that no dogs are being let in, which is a real shame.

“We went in the other day with our dogs and a member of staff said we couldn’t bring them in.

“It really is a shame that the policy has changed because people used to go in with their dogs all the time.”

Kirstie Brown, manager of the branch, said the decision had come from Costa company chiefs.

“Our previous manager used to allow dogs in even though the policy for Costa all over the country was no dogs," she said.

“I continued it because we have good customers who own dogs but a couple of weeks ago we were told that we have to enforce it and not allow dogs in.

“The policy for Costa branches everywhere is that dogs are not allowed in so it is a nationwide policy.”

Mr Bennett raised concerns about the sign, which does not mention whether or not guide dogs are allowed in the shop but Miss Brown said: “Of course guide dogs are still allowed in, but for hygiene reasons we cannot let other dogs in with food and drink being served and with allergies.”

The Costa in Church Street has recently been involved with charitable activities, taking coats and blankets out for homeless people after they were donated by members of the public.

Miss Brown was joined by her colleagues Maisie Scholes-Rice and Jordan Parry in collecting and distributing the items to rough sleepers over several weekends.