A £100,000 investment to create one of the biggest pet stores in the North is paying huge dividends for Coletta and Tyson Garden Centre near Beverley, Yorks...
Coletta and Tyson in Woodmansey has drafted in new experts to run the pet department, which stocks 2,000 fish and 50 reptiles.
The new store was completed a few months ago but it has taken the company time to find the right people.
But the move is already paying dividends, with pet sales increasing sharply.
Coletta and Tyson's marketing manager Lauren Cocks said: "We just had a small pets section at the centre before and it had reached a point where sales had plateaued. We had to decide whether to keep it small or invest and let it grow.
"We have spent £100,000 on the move and it took two years of planning to set everything up.
"We knew there was a lot of growth in reptiles and fish and there is a gap in the market round here.
"We now pride ourselves on being a very good pet shop."
The garden centre decided the gamble to expand was worth it.
Ms Cocks said: "The increase in sales since moving has proved us right.
"The feedback we have had from customers has been excellent.
"We want people to know we are a serious pet shop and not just a small part of the garden centre."
Ms Cocks admits there was no point in investing in new facilities without having the right people in place.
