Love relaxing in the Market Square on a weekend with your canine companion?
We love seeing your furry friends out in Market Square too, however, this could soon be a recreation of the past if dog owners continue to take their animals through the Market’s fresh food halls.
The Australian Food Standards Code and City of Stonnington Environmental Health Laws state quite clearly that animals are not allowed in fresh food premises. At Prahran Market, this includes Harvest Hall (fruit and vegetable hall), the Bracher Arcade (meat, fish and poultry arcade) and the Deli Arcade are all strictly out of bounds for your pets (with the exception of assistance animals, of course).
Market Square is the only canine-friendly zone, so long as your dog is accompanied and on a lead, yet we’re becoming increasingly aware that there are still animal owners who refuse to obey these regulations.
To tackle this issue, over the next week or so, you’ll notice some increased signage around the place; it’s more prominent and harder to miss. Our security guards will continue to be on high alert and will ask dog owners to leave if they are spotted in one of our fresh food halls. You’ll hear announcements over our PA system reinforcing this message, and duty managers will continue to ask people to move on if they are seen in the halls with their animals.
So if you’re one of our many, amazing, dog-loving customers who do the right thing, but see someone else doing the wrong thing, call them out.
We don’t want to implement a market-wide ban on dogs – we are a community market, not a shopping centre. We’re also proud to be an integral member of the Chapel Street Precinct; an area growing in its reputation as being dog-friendly. But if we can’t stop people bringing their dogs into the fresh food areas, then we’ll be left with no other choice but to issue a market-wide ban on dogs.
Keen to tell us your thoughts? We’re open to more feedback and suggestions as to how we can tackle this issue. Simply email management@prahranmarket.com.au or contact us here.
For more information on Food Safety Standards and Animals from Food Standards ANZ, click here.
