Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, named after Alice’s cat in Alice in Wonderland; finally received the go-ahead to set up shop in Shoreditch, London. The café, modeled after a popular trend that has taken over Asia, allows petless Londoners to spend some time with animals while enjoying a hot drink.

The café will be divided into three sections: living space for the cats, all rescues from local shelters, a section for cats and customers to mingle, and a kitchen space where cats will not be allowed.

Speaking about her first cat café experience in Tokyo, Pears told the BBC:
[pullquote]”It was a nice experience, it made for a better cafe all round….[there is something] relaxing about it, it’s soothing being around an animal.”
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Lauren Pears, the brains behind the project, originally used crowdfunding to raise £109,000 (about $173,600) towards opening the café.

Lady Dinah’s official website reads:

We are a home for our rescued cats. Our greatest and most important duty is to ensure the happiness and well-being of London’s soon to be most loved felines.

[via BBC]

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