The Nutriment Company (TNC), which bought British firms The Dogs Butcher and Your Pet Nutrition earlier this year, has made its third acquisition of 2025 with the purchase of Spanish raw pet food brand Puromenu.

The acquisition by Europe’s leader in premium natural pet food highlights the company's commitment to entering strategic, high-growth regions. 

Puromenu has experienced rapid growth in recent years, driven by its highly innovative product offering, which includes gently cooked fresh meats, raw patties and sausages, as well as treats, chews and supplements for dogs and cats. The range also features the use of vegetable ferments and probiotics to improve digestibility and palatability, setting a new standard in pet nutrition.

Each Puromenu product is made from 100% natural ingredients and meets the National Research Council (NRC) nutritional standard. The recipes are nutritionally balanced, with muscle meat as the main ingredient and contain no by-products, meat meals, grains or synthetic additives.

The acquisition of Puromenu reinforces TNC's strategic focus on providing high quality, natural pet food solutions while expanding its presence in high growth markets. Joining forces with TNC will broaden the product offering and provide a one-stop-shop for large and small retailers who will now get access to more TNC products in one single shipment.

Magda Kayali and Raúl Zamorano, founders of Puromenu, said: “Since founding Puromenu in 2014, our goal has always been to set new standards in pet nutrition and create the best, biologically appropriate food for cats and dogs to live healthier, happier lives. Joining forces with The Nutriment Company feels like a natural next step in our journey. TNC shares our vision for pet nutrition, and together we can strengthen our impact in the market and continue to push the boundaries of what pets deserve in their diet.”

Anders Kristiansen, CEO of The Nutriment Company, stated: "Magda, Raúl and the team at Puromenu are a fantastic addition to The Nutriment Company. Already from our first conversation it was apparent that we think and act the same way, and I am thus confident that we can together replicate TNC's broader European success on the Iberian Peninsula.”

The co-founders of pet health brand Omni – Dr Guy Sandelowsky and Shiv Sivakumar – appeared on BBC One’s hit programme Dragons’ Den last night (Thursday) and won a £75,000 investment.

They secured the investment in exchange for two-and-a-half percent of their business from Dragons Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett.

The business which makes sustainable pet food and supplements has witnessed impressive growth since launching four years ago.

If you missed the episode of Dragons' Den you can view it on BBC iPlayer by clicking here.

Meatly becomes the first company in the world to supply cultivated meat for pet food on sale. Produced in collaboration with plant-based dog food brand THE PACK, a limited-release of “Chick Bites” is on sale at Pets at Home Brentford, London from tomorrow (Friday 7th February).

Chick Bites combine plant-based ingredients with Meatly Chicken, to provide a nutritious, healthy and sustainable alternative to traditional dog treats. Pets can enjoy the same great-tasting meat they crave, but in a way which is kinder for animals and better for the planet. Meatly plans to raise additional funds to expand production and make Meatly Chicken more broadly available in the next 3-5 years, with further collaborations planned with THE PACK and Pets at Home.

Pets at Home – one of the largest investors in Meatly – is the first retailer to sell pet food made from cultivated meat globally, aligning with its ambition to make pet food more sustainable by making and selling products using less carbon, land, and water.

To produce Meatly Chicken a single sample of cells was taken from one chicken egg, from which enough cultivated meat can be produced to feed pets forever. Meatly Chicken is just as tasty and nutritious as traditional chicken breast, containing all the essential amino acids, critical fatty acids, minerals and vitamins needed for pet health.

Owen Ensor, Founding CEO of Meatly, said: “We’re incredibly excited to introduce cultivated meat to the pet world. Just two years ago this felt like a moon shot. Today we take off. It’s a giant leap forward – toward a significant market for meat which is healthy, sustainable and kind to our planet and other animals. We’re proud to work alongside fellow pioneers Pets at Home and THE PACK for this momentous endeavor.

It’s also a day to celebrate our incredible team at Meatly. Despite only raising 1% of total European cultivated meat investment, we are the first company to sell cultivated meat in both the UK and EU. At Meatly, we’re proving the potential of cultivated meat, and that there is an efficient and cost-effective route to market.

And we’re just getting started. Next we’ll scale our production and make products more widely available to consumers.”

Anja Madsen, Chief Operating Officer, Pets at Home said:

“At Pets at Home, we’re guided by our purpose to create a better world for pets and the people who love them, and that includes looking after our planet. We’re also always looking to the future of pet care, and to make sure we’re developing and providing the products that matter to our customers. This mindset is best demonstrated by our investment in Meatly. We are thrilled to be working with Owen and the team to provide cultivated meat pet food products to our customers for the first time in the world.

“This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of pet food and will be a game-changer for the industry.”

Damien Clarkson, CEO and Co-Founder of THE PACK said:

“The launch of our Chick Bites treats is a watershed moment for the pet food industry. Cultivated meat offers a tasty, low-carbon, and healthy protein source, which has the potential to eliminate farmed animals from the pet food industry.

“Our mission at THE PACK is to develop highly nutritious products that dogs love, and we are delighted to partner with Meatly and Pets at Home on this world’s first. For us this is a continuation of our work in developing high-quality alternative protein products for all dog lovers.”

Pooch & Mutt has acquired BIOME9, a company renowned for its personalised gut health testing and science-backed supplement plans for dogs. 

This strategic move reinforces Pooch & Mutt’s commitment to improving the customer experience and delivering holistic solutions that help dogs of all needs and breeds lead happy, healthy lives.

Vafo’s acquisition of Pooch & Mutt in 2020 has enabled the brand to expand its presence in the UK. With Vafo’s support and backing, Pooch & Mutt has further strengthened its innovation strategy by acquiring BIOME9, ensuring it stays at the forefront of the pet health food market. 

Founded in 2023 by James Cox, founder of consumer specialist Stonebridge (Simba Sleep, Revolut, Castore, Townhouse etc), BIOME9 has gained a loyal customer base through its unrivalled gut health check service and supplement plans. With pioneering cutting-edge science, research and AI, BIOME9 deep-dives into dogs’ microbiomes, identifies gaps, and offers personalised support strategies to combat the effects of modern lifestyles. 

By leveraging BIOME9’s expertise, Pooch & Mutt can now provide more precise, science-driven recommendations tailored to each dog’s unique microbiome. This will align with its mission to provide pets with what they genuinely need while strengthening the company’s position in the pet nutrition space.

“We’ve always believed in giving pets what they genuinely need, because we genuinely care and BIOME9 is going to help us achieve a better understanding of exactly what that is”, says Paul Dennison, CEO of Pooch & Mutt. “The acquisition of BIOME9 allows us to expand our offerings with products that perfectly complement our existing portfolio and we will be positioned better to give our customers tailored advice as well as products that ensure dogs' health needs are supported allowing them to thrive.”

BIOME9’s team and operations will integrate smoothly into Pooch & Mutt, ensuring continued excellence and innovation in pet nutrition. The company will continue innovating in pet gut health science to enhance pet well-being.

“I am incredibly proud of the work our team has done to establish BIOME9 as the market-leading microbiome analysis platform, delivering proven, tangible health benefits for dogs. With the canine microbiome facing unprecedented challenges, our mission has always been to develop advanced solutions to address this emerging crisis.” says James Cox, Founder of BIOME9. “We believe Vafo Group’s passion for pet wellbeing, global reach, and significant resources make them the ideal partner to bring BIOME9 to the worldwide audience it deserves. We look forward to seeing how our innovation will continue to improve the lives of pets around the globe under Vafo’s stewardship.”

The acquisition underscores Pooch & Mutt’s ongoing commitment to delivering products that dog owners can trust. As the demand for knowledge and expertise behind gut health continues to grow, Pooch & Mutt is well-positioned to lead the way.

ManyPets, already the firm choice of hundreds of thousands of pet parents across the UK, has been awarded the coveted Pet Insurance Provider of the Year award for 2025.

The Moneyfactscompare.co.uk Awards, previously known as the Moneyfacts Consumer Awards, celebrate providers offering the very best products and services, and is voted for by consumers.

The 2025 award is the latest accolade for ManyPets who also won Pet Insurance Provider of the Year in 2021, 2022 and 2024. And this year ManyPets was also pleased to be also highly commended for its insurance claims service.

ManyPets CEO Luisa Barile, who was on stage to receive the award, said: “We love attending Moneyfacts’ awards with others from the industry, and it’s great to have had the chance to celebrate our win, as well as our recent achievements, with team members from across the business. I’m delighted that customers value our products and service so highly.”

Eight out of 10 UK pet shop consumers visit their local independent pet shop at least twice a month, highly valuing the trusted, tailored advice they receive.

This is according to a recent survey of 204 pet parents purchasing from UK independent pet shops, conducted by LOOP - Yummypets' insights platform with GA Pet Food Partners. 

The study took a closer look at UK shoppers who choose to shop with independent pet shops, revealing important insights into pet parents’ buying habits and what drives them to choose their favourite local pet shop, and understand their purchasing preferences and nutritional needs. 

Pet consumer shopping habits

• Pet parents who shop at pet shops are loyal visitors - 80% of them visit their local independent pet shop at least twice a month
• Locality and product choice rank as top motivators (61%) for buying from independents
• 46% value the recommendations tailored to their pet 
• The top four reasons respondents choose their local pet shop over another are; 
• i) Pet friendly store, ii) Level of service, iii) Value for money & iv) Pet expertise
• Pet parents love the welcoming, pet-friendly atmosphere of their local shops
• They’re drawn by the knowledgeable, friendly service and expertise, along with the sense of value these shops provide
• Crucially, Independent pet shops have built a reputation as trusted spaces that understand pets, as well as the people who love them.

Pet food considerations

Pet parents who buy dry kibble represent 19% of the UK population

• The top 2 purchase triggers when choosing kibble are health benefits and product quality
• The most popular health benefits pet parents are looking for are;
• Everyday health & wellbeing & ii) Skin & Coat health. Closely followed by; dental, digestive, joint and weight health
• A significant 91% of pet owners are open to switching their pet’s dry food to a healthier option based on recommendations from their pet shop. This trust has paved the way for own-label dry food options to soar in popularity, now making up 64% of dry food purchases.
• When comparing own-label to branded products, UK pet parents feel they’re getting a better deal: 44% believe that own-label options offer great value for money, compared to 21% for branded products. 
• Even more compelling, 37% of pet parents feel that own-label kibble provides superior nutrition versus 20% who say the same about branded products.
• Pet parents are willing to embrace the shift: 79% of shoppers are open to replacing their current kibble with their store’s own-label, and a bold 87% would even pay more for it. 

This growing loyalty to own-label brands signals a powerful opportunity for independent pet shops to build stronger connections with their customers by offering trustworthy products backed up by their trusted advice.

The insights from this survey have recently been shared at a live Q&A event with Yummy Pets on the GA Academy; an online community exclusively for independent pet specialists. 

The Yummy Pets consumer research has informed GA’s next generation of pet food: Peptide+. Harnessing the power of peptides, this nutritionally advanced range includes three recipes each targeting key therapeutic conditions pet consumers are seeking solutions for.

GA Pet Food Partners and LOOP - Yummypets' insights platform are eager to continue working together in the future to further understand the consumers that shop in the independent pet shops and bring key learnings to give the independents a competitive edge.

Leading restaurant chain Bill’s has partnered with pet insurance provider ManyPets in a bid to raise awareness of dog-friendly dining options available on the high street. Despite the growing number of dog owners in the UK, a vast majority of high street cafes, restaurants and pubs are yet to open their doors to patrons’ pets.

Following in the footsteps of a handful of other popular restaurant chains, Bill’s welcome dogs nationwide, to dine in with their owners. To highlight the importance of dog-friendly venues, Bill’s wants to go to the next step from dogs being simply allowed inside to dogs being celebrated and spoilt.

As part of this new strategic partnership, and to celebrate Doggy Date Night on 3^rd February, ManyPets customers can fetch their free doggy gift when they dine at Bill's this February. The first 2,000 ManyPets customers to buy a main meal at Bills and show their unique code in ‘My Account’, will receive a Denzel's Blind Date Gift Box for their dog. This will include a host of doggie goodies including Valentines Heart treats and steak and chips flavoured rewards.

Over the past year, ManyPets has been on a mission to highlight the growing number of dog-friendly restaurants across the UK via their ManyPets Approved Guides. This includes sections devoted entirely to cities including London, Brighton, York, Bristol and Nottingham. 

Bill’s are celebrating being awarded the coveted ManyPets Approved status which highlights their continued commitment to accommodating their customers canine companions. The dog-friendly restaurant offers four legged friends a whole host of perks for dining in, including dog bowls, a dog menu and even doggy birthday parties. 

Sheri Williamson, Marketing Director of Bill’s said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with ManyPets to showcase our love of dogs. We encourage our guests to bring their dogs because we know eating out can be a wonderful experience shared with our four-legged family members. In 2024, 9,000 dogs tucked into our delicious dog menu.”

Luisa Barile, Group CEO of ManyPets, adds: “Here at ManyPets we recognise that dogs are part of the family and enjoy nothing more than dining out with their owners. It’s great that a leading brand like Bill’s are making dining with your dog the new norm. We are hopeful that other popular high street restaurants will follow suit. Bill’s has always been a favourite of ours and we’re thrilled to be working with them for what we hope will be the start of a fruitful relationship.”

For more information about ManyPets or to explore their pet insurance offerings, visit https://manypets.com/uk/

Leading pet care brand Mikki has launched two innovative products tailored specifically for Doodle crossbreeds and other curly-coated dogs - the Doodles Harness and the Doodles Do Lead. Designed to address the unique needs of these popular dogs, these high-quality accessories offer both comfort and control.  

The Mikki Doodles Harness features a smooth inner lining that minimises friction, along with a stylish design that limits the amount of a dog’s coat covered by the harness. Curly-coated dogs often develop knots and tangles around the armpits and chest due to regular harness use, and the Doodles Harness has been specifically designed to help prevent the formation of these.

With its many features and benefits the Doodles Harness is suitable for all dogs that enjoy comfortable walks. The 'Y' shaped design ensures a snug fit across the chest without exerting pressure on the body, thus preventing interference with the scapula and elbows, and allowing unrestricted movement. The harness features adjustable buckles that always ensure a comfortable fit, as well as dual lead attachment points (one on the back and one on the chest), which offers greater versatility for training and handling.  The Doodles Harness is available in four sizes (XS, S, M, and L)

The new Doodles Doodle Do Lead is available in two sizes (S/M and M/L) and complements the Doodles harness perfectly.  

Key features of the Lead include: 

• A soft neoprene padded handle that easily converts into a hands-free waist lead or cross-body belt lead
• A convenient quick-release clip on the padded handle for effortless tethering to tables, posts, etc.
• An easy-release clip that separates into a seat belt clip to secure your dog in the car with a harness. 
• A bungee section to minimise jolts and pulling during walks 
• An easy-slide adjustable buckle to customise the lead's length to your liking
• A reflective trim for improved visibility in low-light conditions
• An additional soft neoprene padded control handle near the buckle for close handling
• A carabiner clip on the handle for attaching poop bags or extra accessories

The Doodles Harness and Doodles Do Lead ranges are available to order now with an optional FSDU from https://trade.interpet.co.uk/

At PATS in 2023 DotDotPet launched Eco Dog Towels and since then this product has proven to be hugely successful; winning two industry awards, continually receiving positive reviews online, being viewed over 5 million times on TikTok and drying over 30,000 paws! 

The Eco Dog Towels are perfect for all of life’s muddy adventures, DotDotPet are launching Mini Eco Dog Towels which are perfect for all mini adventures. 

DotDotPet will be at Crufts this year in Hall 1 Stand 30 where they plan on launching the Mini Eco Towels to the market.

Mini Eco Towels come in a box of 10 with the towels measuring 30cm x 30cm, making them perfect for when you only need to deal with wet paws, mucky chops, cleaning sensitive areas or dealing with a dribbling dog! The towels are made from the same high quality, natural, biodegradable material as the original. 

The box is lightweight and with a retail price of £4.99 it makes them the perfect addition to any basket, as what pet parent doesn’t have to deal with a clean up on a daily basis.

Harry Chapman general director of DotDotPet says ‘We have been blown away by the success of the Eco Towels and wanted to develop the Minis for smaller dogs and for when pet parents only need to dry wet paws or wipe mucky or dribbly faces. We have also made the packaging more eye catching for pet owners to make the product stand out on shelf’

For more information about DotDotPet or the Mini Eco Towels please contact DotDotPet at hello@dotdotpet.com or visit their website www.dotdotpet.com

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A leading independent retail body has warned that retailers across Britain face troubled times ahead despite today's Bank of England interest rate cut to 4.5%, as the Bank halves its growth forecast for 2025 to just 0.75%.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira (British Independent Retailers Association), which represents over 6,000 independent retail businesses across the UK, said: "The reduction in interest rates was expected and is welcome news for the retail sector. We have consistently maintained that rates have unnecessarily remained high for longer than required, and we anticipate this reduction will help boost consumer confidence."

However, Bira expressed serious concerns regarding the Bank's revised economic growth projections. The forecast has been halved from the previous estimate of 1.5% to just 0.75% for 2025, despite recent government initiatives.

Mr Goodacre said: "The Bank's economic growth outlook is deeply worrying. Independent retailers are still grappling with the triple impact of rising costs from last year's budget. While the Bank of England is taking steps to stimulate growth through rate cuts, more immediate action is needed from the government to support high street businesses."

The Bank's decision comes amid rising inflation expectations, with projections showing inflation could reach 3.7% in the third quarter of this year. Additionally, unemployment is forecast to increase to 4.8% over the next year, highlighting the challenging economic environment facing retailers.

Bira emphasises that while long-term infrastructure projects are important, immediate support for high street businesses is crucial.

He added: "Long-term projects like the third runway at Heathrow will do little to address the immediate challenges facing high street retailers this year. We need to see concrete government plans that will deliver immediate support to our sector."

34% of dog owners and 28% of cat owners bought a Valentine’s gift for their pets last year?

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we’re reminded that love comes in all forms—including from our pets. But how can you tell if your cat or dog actually loves you back?

Petplan has uncovered the top (and sometimes surprising) signs of affection from our furry friends. Whether it’s your dog staring into your soul or your cat presenting you with their behind (yes, really!), here’s what their behaviour actually means.

For dog owners (according to expert Dr Brian Faulkner):

• Licking and wagging tails - While tail wagging doesn’t always mean happiness, a loose, swishing tail paired with affectionate licks is a sure sign of love.
• Relaxed eye contact - If your dog looks at you with soft, relaxed eyes, they trust you completely.
• Sharing toys - If your pup brings you their favourite toy, it’s their way of showing they enjoy your company.
• Sleeping beside you - Dogs are pack animals, so snuggling up next to you means they see you as family.

For cat lovers:

• ‘Gifts’ (yes, even dead mice) - If your cat leaves you a ‘present,’ they see you as family who needs to be taught how to hunt.
• Tail talk - A high, twitching tail means your cat is happy to see you.
• Head-butts - Cats mark their territory using the scent glands on their cheeks and head. So by head-butting or rubbing their chin against you, your cat is affectionately marking you out as theirs.
• Presenting their behind: As cats identify each other by scent, if your cat presents their tail to your face it shows you’re one of their most trusted people.

For more information visit https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/dog/advice/signs-your-dog-loves-you/ and https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/cat/advice/10-signs-your-cat-loves-you/

CSJ’s founder, internationally renowned sheepdog triallist, Ceri Rundle says the old saying ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ is it still true today.

“Having worked for over 25 years to develop our now comprehensive award-winning ranges it’s maybe not surprising that a number of attempts to imitate our products have popped up over time,” said Ceri.

 “At first, we would be alarmed when we heard – as one inevitably does – from existing customers, outraged at being misled by imitations.  But over the years we have come to realise that those copycat products will soon disappear.”

Why do they disappear?

“Because they are simply NOT AS GOOD quality and NOT AS EFFECTIVE as CSJ’s natural food, treats, herbal supplements and skin care,” added Ceri.

“All those years ago my father H. Glyn Jones (seen in the photo with one of his Champion Border Collies) and I were unable to find an affordable, quality, extruded food that suited our own dogs. 

“We realised that we needed to develop our own rations based on our long-time grass roots knowledge of the needs of dogs and harnessing the expertise of top vets and nutritionists.”

Ceri's father was a former International Supreme and Reserve Supreme Champion with his dog Gel and Reserve Supreme Champion with the famous homebred Bwlch Taff plus five times winner of the Brace Competition on the BBC TV series, One Man & His Dog' with his dogs Gel and Bwlch Bracken.

Glyn produced three training DVDs and co-wrote the training book 'A Way of Life' that many regard as the 'Bible' of the dog world which up to now has been translated into 5 languages.

Ceri said:“I think if my dad could be asked his opinion about imitator products now, he would give a wry smile and quote another old saying … The proof of the pudding is in the eating!” 

For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470.

RSPCA’s new podcast launched with a robot pets discussion on Wednesday (5 February) with Kate Quilton being the host.

The charity's 'Animal Futures’ podcast will take a deep dive into the future of animal welfare - and explore how the decisions society makes today will affect the future  of pets, wildlife and farm animals.

Guests include David Halpern MBE, President Emeritus of the Behavioural Insights Team; Melanie Challenger, bioethicist, and author of ‘How to be Animal’, and environmentalist and author Dr Mya-Rose Craig. 

Other guests will include experts in alternative proteins, robot pets, nature and AI communication with animals.

The podcast explores everything related to animal futures - from our relationship with nature to whether robot pets could ever replace the real thing and if we’re ready to eat lab-grown meat.

Other topics will also include the legal status of animals in society, and how artificial intelligence could pave the way for humans to be able to talk directly to our pets.

Its launch comes as the RSPCA hopes thousands of people will take part in its Animal Futures: the Big Conversation, by having their say on the future they want to see for animals - and humans.

The podcast host - RSPCA Ambassador, journalist and broadcaster Kate Quilton - is best known for presenting a number of series on Channel 4, most notably Food Unwrapped since 2012. She has also presented programmes about improving diet, food inflation, meat production and the risks of chlorinated chicken.

 Kate said: “It has been fascinating to explore what the future might hold for animals - and us. I’ve spoken to leading experts in their field about everything from robot pets and alternative proteins, to the value of nature in our lives, and what it might mean if we can eventually use artificial intelligence to speak with animals.

“What is clear from the conversations that I’ve had is that we’re at a crucial moment for animal welfare and the choices we make today could change their futures and ours - for good or bad. Anyone inspired by what they hear can have their say on the future of animals, by joining Animal Futures: the Big Conversation online."

The guests on the inaugural episode will discuss the ethics and viability of robot pets - and whether these really could be a replacement for the real thing.

Ted Fischer is CEO of Ageless Innovation; a company which produces robot pets for people of all ageless; while Dr Leanne Proops is Associate Professor in Animal Behaviour & Welfare at the University of Portsmouth, and has undertaken research into whether children prefer interacting with a real animal or robot pets.

The opening episode followed a shock new polling from the RSPCA, which found 26% of people would consider getting a robot pet - with millennials (aged 25-34) the most likely at 42% to welcome one into their home.

New episodes will then land on February 12, February 19, March 19, March 26 and April 3.

The podcast will be available on all major platforms - including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon and YouTube, with audio and video available.

The podcast is part of the RSPCA's Animal Futures project - looking at what the future may hold for animals, and considering how the decisions we take now will influence the lives of animals for decades to come.

Earlier this year, the charity launched an immersive game, which set out five possible future scenarios for pets, farm animals and wildlife, which explore the impact issues like climate change, the rise of artificial intelligence, and intensive farming will have on our relationship with animals.

Now the charity wants to get the nation talking about animal welfare and is calling on everyone to take part in Animal Futures: the Big Conversation.

A pet store, which has been on the same site near Enfield for over half-a-century, has gone up for sale on property website Zoopla. The Jollyes building has been listed as retail premises.

The pet store has been based in Theobolds Park Road, Crews Hill since 1971 and was initially run for three decades by the McIntyre family, before being sold on around 20 years ago.

A spokesperson for the award-winning pet retail group said: “Jollyes is planning to relocate this store in time to upgraded premises. We don’t know about timescales for that at the moment though.”

The agent’s description on Zoopla states:

“The property comprises a series of interconnecting buildings dating from the 1960s/70s and of steel/wooden frame construction with profiled steel sheet and timber clad elevations throughout with a shallow pitch central roof on the larger, rear section and mono pitch timber reinforced roof to the front projecting unit.

“Internally, the sales area dominates the built accommodation and has an unpainted, sectional concrete floor with lighting by florescent strip lights and occasional translucent ceiling panels with heating by warm air heaters suspended from the roof.

“At the rear are a series of offices which are currently used for general storage and staff welfare accommodation including toilets and a small kitchen sit at the side.

“The site benefits from a substantial yard area laid to sectional concrete and a substation sits adjoining the access from Theobalds Park Road.”

Click here for the Zoopla listing.

Scottish-based Wilsons Pet Food has received £1 million of investment from The Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS), managed by Maven Capital Partners, delivered by the British Business Bank. 

Wilsons is the UK's leading producer of natural cold pressed dry dog food, with two established manufacturing facilities, whilst also producing raw meals, treats and a recently launched range of supplements. 

Sold via retailers nationwide and directly on Wilsons’ website, the company’s expanding range offers both choice and flexibility to a wide range of dog owners seeking a natural and nutritious diet. The Investment Fund for Scotland funding will enable Wilsons to accelerate growth by supporting the success of its current range, expansion into new product categories, and further enhance production capabilities.

Craig Wallace, Managing Director at Wilsons, said: This investment from Maven Capital Partners in partnership with the British business bank could not come at a more exciting time for Wilsons. Following our successful rebrand, this investment will be used to enhance production further, helping us complete the installation of a new cold pressed facility. This will enable us to more than quadruple our current production capacity.  It will also support the launch of a brand new range of food, invest in some incredible new team members and help increase our support and advertising for our independent pet trade customers. 

“As ever, we remain committed to making Wilsons available to more dog owners across the UK and encouraging pet owners to feed a natural nutritious diet. With our cold pressed being named  ‘Best Dry Dog Food 2025’ and the investment, it’s set to be a busy year ahead.” said Craig.

Rob Stevenson, Investment Manager at Maven, said: “Wilsons has achieved impressive organic growth to date and has an exciting pipeline of near-term opportunities across its diverse range of sales channels. The company operates in a competitive space, differentiating themselves through their high quality products with a core focus on cold pressed and raw dog food, in addition to treats and supplements. Craig is an entrepreneurial individual with extensive experience in the pet food sector, supported by a strong and passionate team. They have achieved impressive growth in recent years; we’re delighted to be backing the business at such an exciting point in their growth journey.”

Wilsons cold pressed meals were recently named ‘Best Dry Dog Food 2025’ by Your Dog magazine. The range includes ten recipes within the popular Premium range, five recipes within Working Dog, and a new tailored meal designed specifically for puppies. 

In 2024, Wilsons invested in a full rebrand across their entire range of natural meals and treats, with new packaging highlighting the health benefits and premium nature of the company’s products. Wilsons’ website also introduced an improved trade page and a simplified online ordering system.

To find out more about Wilsons full range of natural meals and treats visit trade.wilsonspetfood.co.uk or contact the trade sales team at trade@wilsonspetfood.co.uk.

Family-owned Pets & Friends is now offering thousands of pet products delivered in 30 minutes or less, including frozen raw food, cat litter, bulk sacks and more, via Just Eat.

Free delivery and more will be available for Pets & Friends orders on the Just Eat platform over the coming months.

Just Eat animal lovers will be able to order thousands of their favourite pet products straight to their door – including dry, wet and frozen raw food for dogs and cats, as well as treats, grooming products and toys. 

Dan Corcoran, store manager at Pets & Friends, said: “Whether you’ve run out of kibble, struggle to get to store or need support transporting heavier items, Just Eat offers a quick, accessible way to shop and care for your pet.

“Just Eat will also offer customers another way to click and collect with us in store if it’s more convenient for them.” 

The news follows Just Eat’s recent partnership announcements in the UK and globally – including Waitrose, Boots, Cardfactory, Lovehoney and HelloFresh – demonstrating consumer appetite for convenience for a variety of products and moments.

Retailers and buyers are being given an unparalleled opportunity to source all the latest pet, aquatics and equestrian product launches under one roof as leading trade exhibitions PATS and BETA International co-locate to the NEC Birmingham in September 2025.

PATS and BETA International will run side by side in Halls 1 and 2 at the NEC respectively on Sunday, 28^thSeptember and Monday, 29^th September 2025. PATS will also take place on a third day, Tuesday, 30^thSeptember.

It means that buyers will be able to explore new products from the biggest and most comprehensive range of suppliers in the pet, aquatics, equestrian and country sectors during their visit to the NEC, with PATS set to attract over 400 exhibitors and BETA International over 250.

The NEC is the UK’s largest exhibition centre and its central location offers retailers and buyers superb transport links. As well as being located in the heart of the country’s motorway network close to junction 6 of the M42, it also has direct rail links to major cities plus Birmingham International Airport on its doorstep. There are over 16,500 onsite car parking spaces at the NEC, hotels to fit all budgets, and a wide range of purpose-built catering facilities to suit all tastes.

Julie Sandercock, retail director at Sussex-based country store Bodle Bros, is a regular visitor to PATS and BETA International and is excited at the prospect of attending both shows at the same time. 

“As a retailer of pet and equine products, news of PATS and BETA International moving to adjoining halls at the NEC was music to our ears,” said Julie. “The easy access to the NEC is far more practical than the previous venues of both shows and gives us more incentive to attend.”

BETA International 2025 represents the 12th year of Neue Schule’s headline sponsorship of the exhibition, and the company’s CEO Sarfraz Mian said: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing support of one of the world’s leading equestrian trade shows. The exposure provided by BETA International has enabled Neue Schule to showcase its products to key buyers across all equestrian territories. 

“The return of the event to the NEC Birmingham has been welcomed by exhibitors and visitors and we are excited by the opportunities presented through the co-location of BETA International with PATS, the Pet & Aquatics Trade Show. For all equestrian businesses keen to identify new products and grow their business, BETA International represents the ideal opportunity for networking and turbo charging enthusiasm for the year ahead.”

Both PATS and BETA International will retain their most popular features at this year’s events. The Aquatics Zone featuring the UK’s leading aquatics, watergardening and reptile companies, will return to PATS after a successful launch in 2024, while the New Starter Zone will host a growing number of start-up businesses.

The New Product Showcases will also be a major visitor attraction during PATS and BETA International, offering retailers a great opportunity to see and touch the new products they will be stocking for the coming season.  

PATS will be presenting state-of-the-art grooming demonstrations, workshops and talks throughout the show while BETA International will feature talks by leading equestrian figures in the seminar theatre.

Registration for free entry to both events will open in March, and to make things simple visitors will only have to register once, with BETA International visitors being given access to PATS and vice versa.

For more information visit www.patshow.co.uk or www.beta-int.com