Cafe's top dog for pups and their humans

ELLIE KENDALL finds the perfect pitstop for walkies at Horfield's dog-friendly Coffi Lab

- Ellie Kendall

HERE'S always a dog or two walking along Gloucester Road when I’m journeying down the bustling independent shopping street.

Families with four-legged friends who live locally benefit from a vast array of dog-friendly amenities, like popular dog walking spots and parks, large grassy areas - and Gloucester Road itself even boasts dog groomers and a veterinary practice.

So it was no surprise to see that Welsh-born coffee shop Coffi Lab had chosen a prominent spot on Gloucester Road to bring its delicious human and dog fare, back in March. As a dog owner myself, I'm always looking for places I can enjoy a hot drink and a bite to eat in a cosy, friendly, warm and welcoming environment.

This is particularly the case because my four-legged family member is, in fact, a rescue pup with her own little anxieties and quirks. So I usually find myself doing a bit of a trial run alone before I decide if a so-called “dog-friendly” spot gets the Blue (that’s my dog’s name) seal of approval.

And so I finally got the chance to do so on a grey drizzly Wednesday morning. This coffee shop resides in a former bank building in a large corner property, meaning there's space for outside seating and lots of room indoors for a mix of cosy sofas, booths, and tables and chairs.