The journalist India Knight posed a question on Twitter this morning that brought a flurry of responses: ‘Are dogs allowed in department stores (Fenwicks) if you're carrying them?’  

She quick ascertained that Fenwick (‘no breed discrimination’) and Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty and Burberry allow dogs but we decided to do a little more research to see how pooch-friendly our  favourite fashionable London haunts are. 

Selfridges: India Knight is right in saying they permit dogs but a spokesman tells us: ‘We allow dogs but they have to be small enough to fit into a bag.’

The Shop at Bluebird says: ‘We allow dogs – as long as they are under control. And maybe not a Great Dane.’  

Browns says: ‘We do allow dogs. We love dogs! We’re definitely dog-friendly.’

Dover Street Market says: ‘We do if they’re on a lead. And it depends in how big they are. Usually it’s not a problem,’  

LN-CC says: ‘Absolutely, you can bring a dog. No problem – as long as it’s not a Great Dane.’ So, basically, do not get a Great Dane if you like shopping.

Harvey Nichols says: ‘No. No exceptions.’ That’s us told.

Restaurants tend to be stricter than department stores with very few of them adopting the chic, insouciant attitude to dogs they display in Paris, where pets are basically allowed everywhere.   

Bistrotheque says: ‘We can’t have dogs in the building for health and safety purposes.’ Fine...

The Delaunay is more sympathetic but still says: ‘Unfortunately, we don’t permit dogs. No exceptions – unless it’s a guide dog.’

Burger & Lobster echoes that by saying: ‘No, except for guide dogs.’

Claridge’s allows dogs if you’re staying in the hotel: ‘We do allow small dogs to stay as long as you state it when you’re making a reservation but we don’t allow dogs in the dining areas and bars.’

Polpo in Soho says it allows ‘small dogs, yes’. 

And kind hipster hangout A Little of What You Fancy in Dalston says: ‘It’s quite a small restaurant but yes, we allow dogs. Within reason. We even have some doggie treats to hand.’