Excitement is building as companies book their stands for PATS 2025, which will take place at the NEC Birmingham for the first time.

The Pet & Aquatics Trade Show will be staged in Hall 1 of the NEC over three days from Sunday, 28^thSeptember through to Tuesday, 30^th September 2025.

Following a record-breaking PATS 2024, which saw the largest ever increase in both exhibitor and visitor numbers, the 2025 event is set to offer companies even more opportunities as it moves to the UK’s largest exhibition centre.

Next year’s show will be able to accommodate up to 500 UK and international exhibitors at PATS 2025.

And the show looks set to attract more visitors than the record number of 3,541 at PATS 2024, thanks to the NEC’s central location. 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, hotels to fit all budgets, and a wide range of purpose-built catering facilities to suit all tastes.

Event director Gordon Thomas said: “There is huge interest in PATS 2025 with exhibitors eager to book their stand space as early as possible, and many brands looking to take larger stands than previous years.

“In welcoming the move, exhibitors have told us they think the NEC offers greater opportunities to showcase their products and services to a far wider audience.”

Peter Roy, UK managing director of The Nutriment Company, agreed with Gordon, stating: “I’m really looking forward to NEC Birmingham next year – it’s a great location for visitors and manufacturers both from the UK and beyond. I’m sure many of us in the pet trade will find a good spot to meet up in the evenings as well – it happens at Interzoo and Zoomark, and it will happen at PATS NEC.”

And Charlie Williams, joint managing director of Canagan Group, added: “We believe that the NEC could offer significant advantages, including improved transport links and a larger venue to accommodate a growing number of exhibitors and visitors.”

Jonothan Goodman, director of In Vogue Pets, described the move as a game-changer. “The NEC is a great venue and the communications and travel are so easy – just get off the train and you are there,” he said.

“We’re really excited about the move to the NEC. With the venue being so close to Birmingham International airport, we’re confident it will bring in even more international interest,” commented Matthew Gwynn, sales & digital marketing manager, of Johnson’s Veterinary Products.

All of the popular features of PATS will be included in next year’s exhibition, including the New Product Showcase and Awards, the New Starter Zone and the Grooming Workshop.

The Aquatics Zone, a dedicated area for reptile, aquatics and watergardening exhibitors, will also return following a successful launch at PATS 2024. 

Cyril Geoffray, UK & Ireland national sales manager at Zoo Med, revealed: “I will definitely need a larger stand in 2025 following a great show this year.”

“The Aquatics Zone at PATS 2024 allowed us to return to exhibiting in the UK after a three-year break,” said Joey Abrahams, director of Aquadip. “We had a great show and can now look forward to showcasing our products at the 2025 show.”

Regular visitors also agree that a show at the NEC has its advantages. Guiseppe Bloom-Mangione, founder of London-based Muthapuppa, said: “Getting to PATS in future will certainly be easier for me, and for many others. It’s important to attend an exhibition like PATS, and any initiative that makes the process even easier is very welcome.”

“PATS is an important highlight of the year and we wouldn’t want to miss any of it,” added Toni Thornton, managing director of Four Oaks Pet Supplies in Scarborough. “We attended all three days at PATS 2024 and hope to do so again next year.”

Companies wishing to book stands at PATS 2025 should call the PATS office on 01892 862848 or visit the website www.patshow.co.uk and click on ‘stand enquiry’.

Family-owned Wildwood Pets, based in the Lincolnshire market town of Stamford, has been named Independent Retailer of the Year 2024 in the prestigious PIF Awards. Owner Thomas Rogerson, who runs the store alongside wife Laura, reveals the secrets of the company’s success.

What does winning this award mean to you and your team?
Winning this award means the world to myself and my team. Getting a business off the ground is difficult, and this proves to us that all the hard work we have done has come to fruition and has been recognised.

Thomas and Laura receiving their PIF Award from Peter Brame and Rachael Bradshaw of sponsors Vital Pet Products.

Why do you think you won this prestigious award?
We are still in a little bit of shock to be honest. We were up against some amazing independents and all of which are more established than we are. We managed to speak to a judge briefly, but they gave little away. I believe the presentation of the store, ethos and customer service came across very well. Although all of our team are currently part-time we work hard with them on product training to ensure everyone that comes through the door has access to tailored and good advice. Therefore, when the mystery shop part of the process happened I was comfortable with whoever they dealt with on our team they got the best service and with a smile.

How long has Wildwood Pets been open?
The store is still less than a year old. We opened the branch in January 2024. The company was formed back in April of last year and we started very small, from our garage with around 400 lines and a website, whilst we looked for the right premises in the right location which took a while. Stamford is an amazing town and the support for independent shops is incredible. We have an amazing high street pet shop here too so we wanted to have a unit which was on the edge of town, slightly larger, very accessible and plenty of parking which can be an issue in quaint market towns.

Who owns the business?
Fully family owned and run. My wife Laura Brooke-Rogerson and I are the directors of the company. My father-in-law Robert Brooke and I are shareholders.

What are your backgrounds?
We are animal people through and through. I have experience in pet retail, around a decade in both chains and other independents. Most recently I was a district manager of a chain overseeing 5 stores. Before that I was a lecturer for Animal Management courses at a college, Education Presenter at a zoological park and worked with the Wildlife Trusts. Laura has worked in vet practices, been a volunteer dog trainer with an assistance dog charity and is a qualified Clinical Canine Massage Therapist. We met at university when I was studying Zoology, and she was doing Animal Science. 

What made you become pet product retailers?
I think it was a childhood dream of mine. One of my first ever jobs as a teenager was at a great independent and I can remember thinking about if I was to run my own what I would do, what I would stock etc. That came back around again in my previous role. Although I enjoyed my time at Pets Corner I was restricted in doing things their way. When it came time to move on I thought it was time to see if I could actually do it myself.

How many members of staff are there?
I am only the full-time member of staff, but I hope that will change as we grow. Laura comes in as and when needed, alongside raising our two wonderful daughters, but arguably puts more time in than I do with the social media and website. We currently have four fantastic part-time members of staff – Iona, Francesca, Emily and Kate – and one work experience student Willow, who has just joined us.

What makes you different from your competitors?

Firstly, the staff. When hiring we made it clear in any job ads that experience and qualifications were great, but it would come down to passion and willingness to jump into the unknown with us. Iona and Francesca have been with us from opening and interviewed in a completely empty space but could see our vision. All of them are passionate, knowledgeable and build relationships with customers. I also used my years of experience to plan out our space thoroughly. We have a dedicated space for trying on harnesses and coats, ramps so it is accessible for all and a spacious store to allow customers with dogs to shop comfortably. We have a relaxed atmosphere with background music, an attractive entrance and even kids trolleys so families are well catered for.

How do you attract and retain customers?
We rely heavily on word of mouth, although not our only marketing. The money saved on larger marketing campaigns we make sure we constantly revise our product ranges to suit our customer base and new additions to the pet product market. When customers shop with us, we want it to be an experience that is very important to us. They then pass that onto their friends and family.

How involved do you get in the local community?

We try to, when possible, work with the local pet community. We have a large noticeboard space for local pet businesses, and we are working with several people and groups to host various days and events on site. That is the benefit of a larger store. Alongside raising funds, we are a drop off point for physical donations for three local animal charities and rescues too.

How important is your website and social media?
Very! Social media is a great tool for connecting with your customer base and having a practical and attractive website backs that up. It is one of Laura’s main roles. It can help reach a wider audience than other forms of marketing at a much lower cost.

What’s the secret of your success?
Passionate pet-orientated staff, a lot of hard work and ethics. I had a very particular vision when building this business. Myself and my family painted all the walls, built all the racking, stocked the shelves and spent hours researching the right products. We are particular in what we will and won’t stock. We set ourselves strict rules from making sure particular ingredients aren’t in any of our food and treats to only holding certain shaped harnesses. A big part of staff training is explaining why we don’t stock certain products, but we never talk down any product or business, we just state our research findings. That comes across very well to most customers.

What advice would you give other independent pet retailers?
Don’t feel like you need the big-name brands if you don’t believe they are the right thing for your store or your customers. There are so many different products out there, often made by great little companies, and something different from the local big chain or supermarket will win you more customers than you might lose.

How do you see your business developing over future years?
Hopefully to grow our community connections and work with more local businesses. We have space to host smaller events and displays which we love doing. We also want to get out a bit more, such as local fairs and shows, to get our name out there. Recently we expanded our shop floor space to open a new raw room to house our freezers. There is another space which is currently unoccupied so we are weighing up adding possible pet service too. I am also very passionate about exotic pets and want to develop a space more tailored to that. Finally, we want to review our ranges with fresh eyes and most up-to-date research to see how we can improve further.

Find out more at https://www.wildwoodpets.com

The boss of an award-winning pet treat company has revealed that businesses need to keep innovating if they wish to remain successful.

Pet Trade Innovations was crowned Supplier of the Year at the PIF Awards last week, and managing director Steve Driver said: “With over 30 years’ experience in the pet industry, I feel we’ve moved with the times.”

Steve added: “Winning this award is like putting the icing on the cake! 2024 has been a great year. We’ve launched Wonderful World of Treats, which fulfils dog owner’s expectations to offer ‘human cuisine’ tastes and nutrients at a cost-effective price point. We pride ourselves in understanding what owners need to keep their dogs happy and enriched as reflected by our wide range of chews and accessories.

“Adapting to satisfy a new customer ‘s demand and interest in maintaining their pet’s wellbeing. Offering eco-conscious solutions, WWOT is the only treat brand in the UK to be plastic free. We’re proud to offer product solutions that can improve the lives of pets and their people. We’re excited about building on our customer network in 2025 with a few surprises in store.”

Play9, an innovative pet brand that launched less than a year ago, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by winning ‘Marketing Campaign of the Year’ at the PIF Awards. 

Recognised for their cheeky and disruptive slogan: ‘Most Other Dog Toys Are Just Balls’, this award validates the brand’s unique approach to connecting with pet parents through authentic, creative messaging.

Play9 founder Lee Bridges said: “This award feels surreal. To be acknowledged by the Pet Industry Federation within our first year is beyond our expectations. It’s a fantastic validation of our team’s hard work and a powerful motivator to keep pushing boundaries in the pet industry.” 

When asked about the meaning behind the hilarious and somewhat provocative slogan, Lee replied: "We know this 'ballsy' statement will raise some eyebrows but we wanted to highlight the fact that the Roolo is a completely unique offering, unlike any other pet product on the market.”

While Play9’s campaign captured hearts with humour and creativity, the company is far more than just an eye-catching brand. Their mission is rooted in enriching canine lives by creating thoughtful, humane products that enhance a dog’s mental and physical well-being. Play9’s flagship product, the Roolo, exemplifies this philosophy. A uniquely-shaped, treat-dispensing toy made from sustainable natural rubber, it encourages engaged play and can also be used as a slow feeder. Designed as a revolutionary enrichment tool, the Roolo supports everything from positive behavioural reinforcement to stress reduction, stimulating dogs in a way that standard toys simply don’t.

With a vision to ‘get a Roolo into the paws of every dog in the world’, Play9 is rapidly gearing up for growth on multiple fronts. This next phase will see Play9 expanding its e-commerce presence, entering new markets, and laying the groundwork to build a globally recognised brand. As a pioneer in humane, enrichment-focused dog products, Play9 aims to set new standards in quality and canine well-being, while establishing lasting connections with pet parents around the world.

For more information visit https://www.play9.co.uk

The Pet Industry Federation has revealed the results of a survey among its members in response to the recent UK budget. The results highlight significant concerns about the economic impact on small businesses within the trade.

A substantial 76% of respondents believed the budget is detrimental to the UK economy, with 68% expressing fears that it could lead to job reductions. Additionally, 70% of those surveyed indicated that the increased national minimum wage would force them to raise costs for customers. Furthermore, 24% of respondents stated they might need to limit staff growth and maintain steady wages to keep margins stable.

The survey also revealed that 84% of participants foresee a challenging business environment over the next 12 months, and 48% believe the budget will negatively impact their growth plans. The majority of respondents employed between 1 and 10 staff members, categorising them as small businesses. However, many of these businesses were, too large to benefit from some of the increased allowances announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, in her budget designed to mitigate the effects of the tax increases.

Nigel Baker, Chief Executive of PIF, said: “The results of our survey are worrying but not entirely surprising given the scale of the increased tax burden that UK businesses will have to shoulder. The pet industry is known for its resilience, but even here, both customers and employees are likely to bear the brunt of the fallout, with increased costs and economic pressures likely to lead to higher prices for pet owners and potentially even limit job growth within the sector.”

In light of these findings, PIF plans to write to Rachel Reeves, representing the concerns of many small businesses in the UK pet industry. PIF is committed to supporting its members through these challenging times by offering advice, fostering connections, and providing discounts to help improve their bottom line.

Businesses interested in joining PIF can visit its website at www.petfederation.co.uk to learn more about membership options and sign up. For further assistance, contact the membership team at info@petfederation.co.uk

Your Dog Only Lives Once is the philosophy behind the creation of  YDOLO – a new dog food being launched in the UK and Ireland. The brand aims to revolutionise canine nutrition by offering 100% natural, highly digestible ingredients to help dogs lead long, healthy, and happy lives.

YDOLO's recipes contain up to 75% fresh meat or fish, accompanied by fruit, vegetables and selected supplements such as dandelion, ginger, turmeric, cordyceps, and shiitake mushrooms.

Each ingredient has been specifically selected to “add value” resulting in a complete food without fillers, artificial flavourings, colourings, or preservatives.

The range comes in four flavours: chicken, wild fish, duck and Iberico pork, along with a puppy variety. Each variety includes additional ingredients to provide nutritional balance and serve a specific health purpose, from joint support to digestive health.

For example, mushrooms are used to boost immunity. They contain macronutrients to help dogs produce their own antioxidant enzymes to prevent cell damage.  A mix of cordyceps and shiitake mushrooms are included with YDOLO’s Wild Fish and Duck recipes.

Using an innovative production process, YDOLO slowly steams its fresh ingredients at a low temperature of around 70°C, ensuring maximum nutrient retention. Fresh meat and fish is gently cooked in its own juices, preserving the natural goodness and enhancing digestibility.

With a focus on quality and holistic health benefits, YDOLO sets out to provide tailored nutrition designed to support dogs' overall wellbeing.

Owner Gary Gilmore said that the brand aims to set a new standard in the pet food market, “offering uncompromised quality for dog owners who want the best for their pets.”

Gary added: “With so many brands already available on the market, people may question whether the UK needs another range of dog kibble? I believe there's definitely room for a high-quality, complete food that not only provides convenience for owners but also offers an holistic approach to nutrition and dog wellbeing. YDOLO is designed to deliver more than just sustenance – it's about supporting a dog’s long-term health with carefully selected natural ingredients and a production process that preserves their full nutritional value."

The YDOLO range is available in 2.5kg and 10kg bags with a RRP from £24.50.

YDOLO is now seeking independent retailers to stock its innovative products. For further details visit www.ydolo.co.uk  or www.ydolo.ie

Specialist petcare retailer Just for Pets has teamed up with the UK’s biggest delivery network Just Eat, enabling millions of customers to order petcare products for same day delivery.

It’s the first time an on-demand delivery platform has signed with a specialist petcare brand on such a scale. The partnership will launch in 18 Just for Pets stores and one DOG store in Cirencester this week, before rolling out to other pet retailers in 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. 

The news follows research conducted by PA Consulting, on behalf of Just Eat Takeaway.com earlier this year, which found that three in four people who have ordered on-demand groceries in the past believe it will become a part of their daily lives. 

The study of 4,000 European customers identified eight key moments which drive grocery and retail orders on the app - examples included staple stop ups, gift giving and emergency care packages for loved ones. This new partnership with the family owned pet store chain aims to serve these missions and more.

Claire Pointon, Managing Director at Just Eat, said: “The UK is a nation of ardent animal lovers and so we’re thrilled to team up with Just for Pets, enabling our millions of customers to treat and delight their pets. Demand for rapid delivery continues to grow as customers see the benefit, and Just Eat is proud to be leading the charge in empowering everyday convenience - whether that’s groceries via Waitrose, health and beauty essentials from Boots, or, now, emergency pet treats, toys and more.”

Paul Lewis, Managing Director at Just for Pets, said: “We’re so pleased to be Just Eat’s first specialist pet partner, as we look to offer our customers even more convenience. Whether you’ve run out of kibble, struggle to get to the store or need support transporting heavier items, our collaboration with Just Eat offers a new, quick and accessible way to shop and care for your pet. The Just Eat team has been fantastic from start to finish; from offering insights to enhancing the customer experience, with their support we’ve been able to launch quickly and effectively.”

The news follows Just Eat’s recent exciting 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.

Peckish, the leading wild bird food brand from Westland Horticulture, is reinvesting in its highly successful ‘Colour In Your Garden’  media campaign, inspiring the public to support nature this season.  

The brand is investing over £½  million in this latest media campaign, which celebrates the public’s love of nature, and has secured a series of both TV and national print press advertising slots, delivering 4 months of continuous activity, from November 2024 to February 2025. 

Peckish has long been committed to investing in driving awareness and category participation within the wild bird feeding category, and its media campaign is targeted to reach over 65% of 55+ adults in the UK. The campaign launches this month (November 2024), starting with high visibility print titles such as the Daily Mail, the Times and the Daily Telegraph. 

The print advertising will drive awareness of the campaign prior to its TV spots, which will include channels such as Sky, C4 and ITV3 throughout January and February 2025.  Through these combined activations, the multi-platform campaign is anticipated to reach more than 6 million consumers, with a focus on promoting the brand’s Complete Wild Bird Seed Mix.

The creative brings to life the vivid colours wild birds bring to gardens during the grey winter months, featuring encapsulating footage of the nation’s favourite wild birds. The campaign aligns to the peak sales period, where often freezing temperatures encourage the public to support wild birds, as well as the time of year when many consumers seek cosy family time in front of the television. 

To extend its reach, the brand will also be partnering with social media influencers to raise awareness of its Complete Seed Mix – a unique 12 seed blend that’s packed with energy and nutrition, which attracts a wide variety of colourful birds to gardens.  Complementary digital activities will help sustain consumer interest and support year-round category engagement.

Aligning with Peckish’s wider mission to support nature, the Complete Seed Mix is packaged in 100% recycled paper packaging, so retail partners and their customers can feel good about feeding wild birds with the brand’s feel good food. 

Kirk Rothwell, Brand Manager, for Peckish, commented: “The ‘Colour In Your Garden’ creative was incredibly well received in its first year, results far surpassed our expectations, and we were thrilled to also win the GIMA award for Best Multi-Channel Campaign. As a result, this year we’ve decided to extend the campaign to include a selection of national print newspapers to help drive further awareness and engagement. We wanted our creative to truly celebrate the nation’s love of nature and inspire the public to choose the best quality wild bird feed to help keep birds happy and healthy during those cold, winter months. 

“We are also very committed to supporting our retail partners, and so have developed a collection of eye-catching point of sale that captures consumer attention and aids recall in-store. With both on and off fixture options to choose from, there’s plenty for retailers to take advantage of, that help to encourage link sales whilst highlighting seasonal lines to maximise sales from the media investment.” 

Peckish believes in products that are naturally good both inside and out. So when your customers are looking to attract small colourful birds to their gardens, you can rely on Peckish. Speak to your account manager or order via the Westland Live platform to ensure you’re stocked up with Peckish products ahead of the campaign’s launch. 

Find out more about Peckish at www.peckishbirdfood.com

After months of anticipation, Pets at Home will be opening a new Pet Care Centre in Kettering tomorrow (Friday).

With both the Kettering Vets for Pets practice and the Northall Steet Pets at Home relocating to Kettering Shopping Park, the new Pet Care Centre has expanded to become a comprehensive, one-stop destination for all pet care.

Pets at Home has invested just shy of £1 million in refurbishing, enhancing and future-proofing the Kettering Pet Care Centre. Offering local pet owners, the very best care, services and experience for their pet.

This is part of an ongoing expansion programme in which the pet care business is opening new stores, refurbishing existing stores and working with its veterinary practice owners to deliver outstanding pet care services in communities across the UK.

The new Pet Care Centre, which has expanded from 6,400 sq ft (Northall Street) to 13,300 sq ft, gives local pet owners access to a concept store offering a range of specialist services and an in-store experience that’s tailored to the needs of pets. The new look store includes:

• A team of highly trained pet care advisors who are on hand every day to support with free advice, including flea and worm subscriptions, free weight checks and pet food consultations, as well as fitting services for dog coats and harnesses.
• A dedicated Nutrition Hub with an increased range of fresh, frozen and raw food options to reflect the diverse feeding choices adopted by pet owners today. The Hub will also feature increased fridge and freezer space, a pick-and-mix treat bar stocked with natural products, and a designated consultation area for help and advice across all life stages from puppy and kitten to senior.
• An expanded Health Centre making it easier for customers to manage their pets' everyday healthcare needs, including licensed medications and easy access to free pet weighing scales.
• A pet adoption centre and pet food bank donation point, in partnership with the Blue Cross, to support local pets within the Kettering community.
• A small animal pet village to inspire the next generation of pet owners and encourage face to face conversations on responsible pet ownership.
• Digital and interactive screens to help educate customers with their pet choices.
• An increased outdoor free carpark providing ease of access and plenty of parking for all.

Store manager Clarise Kellysaid: “We're over the moon to unveil our brand-new Pet Care Centre in Kettering. With a fresh look and feel, enhanced range of services and an upgraded in-store experience, we’ve got everything the local community needs to keep pets happy, healthy and safe. We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome in new and old customers to come and see the changes. Our knowledgeable team of pet care advisors have all been specially trained to help support customers in the best way possible – from expert harness fitting to nutrition advice, we are here seven days a week.”

The new concept Pet Care Centre will proudly serve as the new home for Vets for Pets Kettering, a trusted practice that has cared for local pets for 15 years. Expanding from 1990 sq ft. (Telford Way) to 5634 sq ft, this modern, state-of-the-art facility will be owned and managed by the same dedicated team of highly skilled vets, nurses and client care advisors as before. The new practice will have:

• Seven spacious consultation rooms which will be fully air conditioned throughout for increased patient comfort.
• Separate waiting areas and wards for dogs, cats, rabbits and exotics.
• An isolation facility and upgraded in-house laboratory facility.
• Upgraded imaging suite, including a state-of-the-art ultrasound to allow for cardiac scans.
• Two separate operating theatres for both complex and routine procedures.
• A dedicated dental suite which will include new dental radiography for advanced procedures.
• First appointments available from the 18th.

Practice owners Chris Willis and Sarah Scott at Vets for Pets Kettering, said: 

Bamfords trade sales manager Elin Lloyd (centre) with local councillors.

Family-run R&E Bamford, suppliers of the popular Top Flight brand, has its sights set on expanding its export markets after receiving a range of funded support through Boost, Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub.

Leyland-based Bamfords, which employs 53 people, currently has export markets in Ireland and Kuwait but is looking to expand its brands across Europe.

The firm’s trade sales manager Elin Lloyd said: “Exporting is a major decision for our business and part of the challenge to getting started is knowing how to seek the right avenues for growth. The big advantage about getting support is there is always someone out there who knows more than you on any topic, you just need to find them.”

Boost is Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub and is led by Lancashire County Council. It has received £2.6m from the UK Government for its current programme of business support through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund contributions of 10 local authorities in Lancashire, in addition to funds from Lancashire County Council and the Department for Business and Trade.

Boost’s mission is to help Lancashire businesses thrive and since 2013, it has supported over 14,000 businesses, helping create 3,500 jobs while adding £100m to the local economy. It offers a range of funded business support services and a team of business advisers Lancashire businesses can talk to.

Boost’s Business Advice Service met with Elin carried out a diagnostic overview of the company and determined that Bamford’s vision to scale the business through export markets made it suitable to join Boost’s Scale to Thrive service, which supports ambitious leaders who want to scale up and push ahead on innovation, investment, and internationalisation.

It offers one-to-one personalised support (in-person and virtual), coaching sessions, workshops, and peer-to-peer networking.

As well as the peer group and coaching sessions, Boost’s Scale to Thrive service provides action learning masterclasses on different topics. Elin split the attendance at the masterclasses over the relevant team members at Bamfords, making it a company-wide resource involving all the team.

Elin said: “The Scale to Thrive service has been brilliant. Everyone in the cohort has turns to share their insights and challenges during the team workshops. I then review what’s been suggested for Bamfords, consider the ideas presented and decide if I can implement them.

“I’m gaining confidence all the time, but before the Scale to Thrive service I had nothing to benchmark it against, so it is helping me to make the right decisions.”

Councillors recently visited R&E Bamford at their base in Leyland.

Lynne Gillen also introduced Elin to South Ribble Borough Council which provided Elin with helpful advice regarding Bamford’s export plans and secured funded export training sessions for Elin with North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

The council was also able to offer financial support to upskill the Bamford team and to help the business become more energy efficient through the council’s BEE scheme and training grants currently on offer to businesses in South Ribble and funded by UK Government.

Backed by the wealth of support, Bamfords has now attended several trade shows in Europe in 2024 to help expand its international presence. The working relationship with the Chamber’s export specialists also helped Elin ship products to the trade events in Europe.

Since attending the trade shows Bamfords has received a number strong leads. Elin and her team are now liaising with distributors to create potential new markets in Europe and the Middle East. Having secured their first order from the trade show leads, Bamfords will be shipping products to Maastricht, southeastern Netherlands, in the next few months.

Cllr Carole Haythornthwaite, lead member for Economic Growth and Environment, Lancashire County Council, said: “With a long history serving the public, businesses and now the export market, Elin and the team at Bamfords are clearly enterprising, innovative and ambitious to keep their business growing.

“I am delighted to see this example of business support providers working together to make sure businesses get the support they need and to make the best of opportunities they get. In this case to grow and expand into export while still providing an attentive, individual service locally.”

South Ribble Councillor and cabinet member for economic growth, planning and investment, Ian Watkinson, said: “It is fantastic to see how the support offered to businesses in the borough is benefiting a thriving and historic company such as Bamfords.

“This demonstrates how a package of support from our local authority and its partners helps to drive growth in businesses of any size, and subsequently grow our local economy as well.”

Elin added: “The DBT, South Ribble Borough Council and Boost, have really opened doors for me, to help us scale the business. I would highly recommend seeking support to any scaling business in Lancashire, we are very fortunate to have such a wealth of connected support offerings and programmes to choose from across the county.”

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An independent pet retailer is rethinking a decision to close following a ‘massive’ show of support from customers and other local businesses.

Ideal Pet Stores in Clitheroe, Lancashire, said it faced closure due to a lack of customers and sales.

Owner Phillip Preston announced on the store’s Facebook page: “It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we are writing this post. Unfortunately, due to a lack of customers and sales we will have no option but to close our shop early next year unless things improve dramatically. 

“Since the pandemic it’s been very difficult not only for us but for everyone in general. I know it’s now so easy to go online or get everything or pick it up while you’re shopping at the supermarket which is why we offer free delivery in Clitheroe and try our best to price match or often beat the online giants’ prices. 

“Please if you’ve any pets or you feed the wild birds or anything please come and support us because otherwise we won’t be here much longer. We want to thank all our customers for their continued support. We love our job and our business and to have to write this post is so upsetting. Please help us stay open.”

The online post attracted 107 comments of support from customers and other retailers in the area.

A day later, Phillip vowed in another social media post to carry on, urging the public to shop local and support small businesses.

He said: “WOW! Just WOW!! Paula and myself here at Ideal Pet Stores would like to thank every single person that liked, shared, commented, messaged us and just showed us massive amounts of support. We are still trying to get back to everyone’s messages and comments so if we do miss one please don’t be offended. We just can’t believe the response we got from everyone. 

“A big thanks also to the other businesses that messaged and shared our post. To have another business say they feel the same as us and want to help was just overwhelming – all saying the same thing, all agreeing that sometimes as a small business you wake up and think ‘what’s the point? I’d earn more just working elsewhere’. 

But we carry on, not because we think we will one day be rich but because we love what we do. From pet shops to painting pots, from cupcakes to cooked meats, we all try to do our best for our customers and to just stay afloat. 

“As shoppers, we are all guilty of not supporting our local shops and businesses, even us, but if we all tried to support them a bit more it would make a big difference in the end. The towns would still have your little independent shops, the markets would still have the variety of stalls we all want to see and money spent in the community, stays in the community. Otherwise we will end up living in towns with no shops, no markets, no atmosphere or friendly faces. Just soulless retail parks, derelict town centre streets and empty market places. We say it every year but please, wherever and whenever you can, shop local, support your small businesses, keep the community and towns alive and a place to people want to visit. 

Again thank you all so much for the support, messages and shares, most of all we hope and pray that it helps not only our business stay alive but helps all small businesses, and the way we all think and shop.”

Picture credit: Ideal Pet Stores' Facebook page.

Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent appeal after witnessing a drastic increase of dogs coming into its care this winter following cases of neglect and abuse.

The charity is today issuing a plea for help with the increasing challenges and pressures across the Christmas period, stating “time is of the essence this winter for local homeless dogs in need of shelter.”

Just one example is Brian, a six year old Mastiff that arrived at the charity’s Wolverhampton rescue centre earlier this month. At just 17.4kg (2.5 stones) he was half-starved and severely emaciated. As the harsh winter months approach, time does not slow down for desperate dogs in need. Brian is only one such example of the 63,800 homeless dogs in UK rescues centres that need urgent care to survive.

With mounting costs and plummeting temperatures, the Birmingham Dogs Home is asking for dog lovers to donate to help them meet the demands so they can care for and help as many dogs as possible.

Just £12.50 can feed one large dog for a week, £55 will pay for two essential life-changing vaccinations. It costs the charity £6000 each day just to keep its doors open.

As part of its winter appeal, the charity is organising a number of fundraising events, including:

• Santa Paws events, sponsored by Yale, on 23rd November and 7th December – which gives attendees the chance to have family photos with their dog and Santa
• A Christmas Jumper Day on 5th December with local businesses
• A sponsored Boxing Day dog walk on 26th December

Fi Harrison, Head of Fundraising & Communications, said, “It’s heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival.

“We don’t receive any government funding, so we are under immense pressure as costs continue to rise. Any donations, be they money or food or blankets are very welcome at this time of year to help us get through and care for the region’s most needy dogs, who are in desperate need of a second chance. We are currently caring for over 200 dogs and really do appreciate supporters remembering us at this time of year.”

Though cases like Brian’s are commonplace, the charity also gets to enjoy seeing dogs in its care find their forever homes.

Millie the beagle came into the care of Birmingham Dogs Home and was adopted just two days before Christmas last year after stealing the hearts of her new loving owners. Not only that, but they also returned a year later for a sister from the home the following year.

Millie’s owner said, “We had lost our family dog in April 2023 due to old age. We had two mini sausage dogs in our home, but all felt we needed a bigger dog around the house. We adopted our Millie on 23rd December last year – calling her Millie due to the kindness of the BDH staff member who had guided us throughout our adoption process and dog meets.

“Millie has changed our lives in ways we never thought possible. She is a very important and very loved member of our family. In fact, she melted our hearts that much that we adopted another doggie from Birmingham Dogs Home in June 2024 who is named Ojai, she is a Staffie who has become Millie’s best friend in the whole world…they are literally inseparable."

You can donate to Birmingham Dogs Homes urgent winter appeal online at www.birminghamdogshome.org.uk and find out more about the dogs in its care and festive events to get involved with.

Outstanding achievements in animal care and training are set to be recognised at a brand new awards ceremony – and nominations are open now.

The iAwards are sponsored by Groomers, My Pet Online and iPET Network, in collaboration with Andis, and will celebrate those professionals who go above and beyond to make the lives of the animals they care for better.

There are 10 award categories which span everything from teaching to apprenticeships, and organisers hope that the iAwards will give industry professionals the chance to celebrate together, and meet other like minded service providers too.

The categories are:

1. Dog Grooming Tutor of the Year
2. Animal Sector Tutor of the Year
3. Groomers Dog Groomer of the Year
4. Cat Groomer of the Year
5. iPET Network Training Provider of the Year
6. iPET Network Student of the Year
7. Canine Business of the Year
8. Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year
9. Dog Grooming Apprentice of the Year
10. Apprentice of the Year working within an Animal Business

You can nominate here: https://groomerslimited.wufoo.com/forms/r7d87pw1egqokd/

The awards event will take place at the Blakemere Village resort in Northwich, Cheshire, and will be a night of fun, prizes and pizza for everyone to enjoy.

Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty of the iPET Network, said: "We are so excited for the iAwards, and to celebrate those wonderful individuals and organisations that excel in all they do for animals and education.

"We are so proud of our industry and qualifications are so key to that. This event will celebrate the people who are shining in all that they do, and helping to keep the nation's animals cared for."

To find out more about the iAwards go to https://www.ipetnetwork.co.uk/news-stories-ipet-network/iawards/

CSJ is warning about problems caused by Black Friday having become a seven-day event instead of the original one day.

Director Phil Rundle says that a week-long spike in sales of products is causing issues with deliveries, such as …

• orders taking longer to be delivered
• damages
• deliveries being taken to the wrong address
• product being left (sometimes just dumped) other than in the designated place 

Phil added: “The difficulties are often caused by carriage companies taking on additional delivery personnel to deal with the extra volume…and their consequential lack of experience.

“It all makes for frustration in the time taken to sort out the resulting problems and the redirection or, in some cases the re-issuing of orders, damage claims etc.

 “As a result, this year we are urging our customers to plan ahead and aim to place orders (especially food) early so they can be received before the dreaded Black Friday week.”

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

The 2024 PIF Award winners were revealed at the gala black tie ceremony held at the Double-Tree Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent, with 26 categories of winners announced.  

With generous support from Su-Bridge Pet Supplies and headline sponsors Cliverton, YuMove, and the Animal People Recruitment Company, along with drinks sponsor Betty Miller and media sponsor PBW News, the 2024 PIF Awards have become the most coveted awards in the pet industry. Recipients proudly received their awards from David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA.

The awards celebrate the remarkable success stories of the past year across a broad range of categories. Winners ranged from independent businesses such as Claire’s Comfy Canines and Trinkety Paws to large manufacturers such as Mackle Petfoods (full list of winners is attached). The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to David Tracey of wildlife pet food manufacturer, Brambles Pet & Wildlife.

Nigel Baker, CEO of the Pet Industry Federation, commented: “This year’s PIF Awards showcased exceptional quality and a remarkable number of entries. While only one winner can emerge in each category, being shortlisted is a significant accomplishment for our finalists. It’s genuinely inspiring to see the diversity and commitment within our sector, and at PIF, we take great pride in honouring this dedication through the PIF Awards.”

Full details of the event are available on the PIF website www.petfederation.co.uk 

A total of 26 honours were handed out at the PIF Awards 2024. Click on the link below to view the full list of winners.

Cattery of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Call of Nature
Newgate Kennels and Cattery 

Dog Daycare Business of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Collar
Claire’s Comfy Canines 

Dog Walking Business of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Collar
Sophie’s Pet Care 

Export Business of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Associated Veterinary Services
We.pet Independent Pet Wholesale 

Grooming Business of the Year 2024 – sponsored by TUFT
Hurley’s Grooming Salon – Training Academy 

Home Boarding Business of the Year 2024 – sponsored by YuMove
The Pug Snug 

Independent Retailer of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Vital Pet Trade Specialist
Wildwood Pets 

Kennel of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Collar
Millin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding 

Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 – sponsored by Impact Exhibitions & Events
David Tracey, Brambles Pet & Wildlife

Marketing Campaign of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Nobull Agency
Play9  

Manufacturer of the Year 2024 (Over £10m) – sponsored by Anthesis
Mackle Petfoods 

Manufacturer of the Year 2024 (Under £10m) – sponsored by Anthesis
Proflax

New Business of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Millin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding
The Muzzle Movement 

New Product Award 2024 (Accessories) – sponsored by Su-Bridge Pet Supplies
Trinkety Paws – Waterproof Biothane Handsfree Dog Training Lead 

New Product Award 2024 (Food) – sponsored by Su-Bridge Pet Supplies
James & Ella – Kibble + Raw Dog and Puppy Food 

New Product Award 2024 (Health & Hygiene) – sponsored by Su-Bridge Pet Supplies
Dorwest – BrainCopa Tablets 

New Product Award 2024 – Treats - sponsored by Su-Bridge Pet Supplies
Doggy Doggy Yum Yum – Frozen Treat for Dogs 

Online Business of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Animal People Recruitment Company
Tug-E-Nuff 

Pet Retail Chain of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Naturo Pet Foods
Pet Pavilion

Pet Services Business of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Cliverton
Yorkshire Pooches Therapies 

Pet Tech Award 2024 – sponsored by LoyalZoo
Wearezumi Limited 

Supplier of the Year 2024 – sponsored by Johnson’s Veterinary Products
Pet Trade Innovations 

Sustainability Award 2024 – sponsored by Citation
Doglyness International GmbH 

Wholesaler of the Year 2024 – sponsored by PBW News
Su-Bridge Pet Supplies

Innovation Award 2024 (awarded at the Business of Pets Conference, June 2024)
Don’t Bug Me – The Holistic Hound

Garden Centre Pet Department of the Year 2024
Notcutts Garden Centres

Pets & Friends, which was purchased by a Nottingham-based family business PSR Trading Ltd (Pet Store Retailing) in August, will unveil its first revamped store at Gamston on Saturday (November 9).

The successful pet store and grooming salon will continue to operate as Pets & Friends but has been revamped with new décor and products.

Store manager Chrissie Muir said: “We’re pleased to be the first Pets & Friends store to receive a revamp. From a new look and feel to new products we’re sure customers and their pets will be happy with the latest changes instore.

“From free harness fitting to personalised nutrition plans and weight checks our team members are always happy to help find the right products for your pet.”

The Gamston store also features a Pets Parlour spa and grooming which provides grooming services for all pets from dogs to cats and small animals with customers now able to book both instore and online.” 

Pets are always welcome in store, with free samples often available.

Pets & Friends has stores in Mansfield, Hucknall, Sutton in Ashfield, Heanor, Gamston, Mapperley, Alvaston, Chaddesden, Wollaton and Littleover.

A family-owned pet shop claims it ‘can’t survive’ in the short-term following an ongoing licensing dispute with its local council.

The town centre store has launched an online petition ‘Save Stafford Pets and Aquatics! in a bid to force the council into finding an amicable solution.

The store is also planning a peaceful protest outside the council offices on Monday (November 11).

Posting the online petition on change.org, the store’s Charlotte Pearson said: “To all our amazing customers and followers we really need your help.

“We set up Stafford Aquatics six years ago when we took over the building from fish world at the Paul Reynolds centre and are proud to be independent and a family owned business in our home town of Stafford.

 The last six years have been challenging at times with Covid lockdowns, our energy bills quadrupling two years ago and then the roadworks on Chell Road and the North end of town affecting us for the past 12 months. We have however battled on and thanks to you our loyal customers and our amazing staff team we have faced these head on and evolved.

“We are now however facing our biggest challenge to date and are asking for your support.

“Following a confusion on dates with the licencing team at Stafford Borough Council, we ended up submitting our renewal forms one day late, having delivered them in person (after the original ones that we submitted by post in June were lost/not received). This now means we have had to apply for a brand new pet shop licence as the old one expired the day before (despite me having had one for the last six years) and we are unable to sell livestock until a new inspection has been completed.

“The date the council have given for this new inspection is the 19th December and a guide that the licence is likely to be issued mid Jan 2025! This is completely unrealistic and the business cannot survive for three months without this trade. We have a wonderful team of four people and we all love working in this industry.

“We are in daily communication with the council to try and bring this date forward but haven’t had much success in the past week.

“Please sign so we can present this to the council and save us from becoming another empty unit in Stafford Town!”

The online petition can be found by clicking here.

Will Conaghan, press and communication manager for Stafford Borough Council, said: "A great deal has been done to help Stafford Aquatics as we wish to support all local businesses. We sent Stafford Aquatics a renewal notice in May - four months before the licence renewal date. They were also reminded in August. And we reminded them again just before that licence expiry date of September 21.

"Following that email we spoke with the business and to help them out agreed to extend the date for the council receiving the application to October 16. After that date it would have to be treated as a new application. But in all that time no application or application payment was received for the renewal of the licence. 

"So, as it was not renewed by that extended date it became a new application. This requires an inspection to be carried out to ensure the business has the appropriate standards regarding the welfare of the animals at the premises. That inspection will be carried out by Staffordshire County Council Animal Health team and until that is done we cannot grant a licence. We have been liaising with the county council to see if that can be undertaken as soon as possible.” 

Will added that Stafford Pets and Aquatics can appeal against the council decision if they think it is wrong.