The proprietor of a pet store in Edinburgh has announced with a ‘heavy heart’ he is closing his business later this month.

Darren Donaldson has run the House of Hound for nine years but will close the doors for the final time on April 15.

In a post on social media, Darren said: “I want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to every one of you that has visited the store over the past nine years, and made it what it was. I had wanted a shop of my own from a very young age, and I was able to do it through your support and kindness. 

“I want to thank the team that held my hand and laughed and cried with me, through thick and thin, marriages, births, Christmas parties and some great times, and through the sudden loss of my lovely mum and grandmother in 2019, the loss of my beautiful Louis and Stella, through two years of Covid and the last year of roadworks. I love you all. Bryony, Hannah, Kat, Angel, Elena, Ollie, Niamh, and Rachel. You're crying, I'm crying, we are all crying! I cannot thank you enough. 

“Of course, because the dogs mean so much to us,  we couldn't leave them hanging. We have been working steadily to ensure there is a succession plan and your dogs will still have a doggy emporium to visit on Roseburn Terrace.  The lovely team @ Bonefide & Hordeum Botanical Studio/Disposition coffee are working hard to take on the lease and keep the doggy dream alive! 

“Finally, and importantly, I am starting a new chapter in April. I have a shop full and everything must go, so get down here and get shopping.  Please give us your support through the last few weeks and help House of Hound end with the same bang as when we opened. It's been a blast!”

Picture courtesy of House of Hound’s Facebook page.