A popular Hertfordshire restaurant chain - which has branches in St Albans, Harpenden, Berkhamsted, Hertford and Hitchin - is set to permit dogs for the first time.

Lussmanns Sustainable Kitchen has made the decision to allow the pets, following an increase in demand for the service since the Coronavirus lockdowns.

The chain will now allow dogs into its outdoor dining areas in Berkhamsted and Harpenden.

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The restaurant group's managing director, Andrei Lussmann, said: "In the 20 years since I launched Lussmanns, I have rarely encountered diners who wanted to bring along their dogs while they enjoyed lunch or dinner at one of my restaurants.

"But since lockdown, with 26 per cent of Brits now owning a dog, I have seen an increase in customers asking if dogs are allowed in our restaurants.

"In fact, research from the Kennel Club found that 55 per cent of dog owners would stay longer in a restaurant if they had their pet with them.

                                                                                            

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"We have two big outside dining areas at Harpenden and Berkhamsted; in fact, the garden at Berkhamsted has 70 outside covers, more than any other restaurant in the area. 

"With this in mind, I thought it was time to welcome diners with dogs in our outdoor dining areas in Berkhamsted and Harpenden."

Lussmanns launched its summer menu at the beginning of June, including chargrilled nectarine starters and Rhug organic lamb leg steaks for mains.

Further information can be found on the Lussmanns website: www.lussmanns.com