Pet Family has secured an eight-figure funding package from HSBC UK to support its growth nationally and internationally, and to create up to 320 jobs nationwide.

Pet Family, which operates 150 stores across London and the South East of England under its Pets Corner brand, is using the multi-million pound funding to open 10 new stores throughout England including in Chelmsford, Ascot, East Grinstead, Newbury and Colchester by the end of the year with more to follow. The funding also includes an acquisition of a small retail chain and supports a four-year capital plan to roll out more retail stores, pet spas and Veterinary centres. 

The funding will also fuel Pet Family’s international growth plan, with the retailer set to launch its presence in Europe by acquiring a stake in a family retailer with seven sites in Europe. Additionally, the brand plans to open stores in the USA, where it currently sells its products to the existing independent pet trade.

The new stores and planned acquisitions are expected to lead to up to 320 new full and part-time jobs in the UK, in addition to the 1,200 employees currently working for Pet Family. 

As part of the HSBC UK funding package, Pet Family will draw on a revolving credit facility to pursue further acquisitions, with plans to open up to ten further new stores every year, as well as investing in launching more of its Pet Practice veterinary clinics within its existing stores.

Pet Family is targeting strong, consistent growth of at least ten per cent per year over the next three years as a result of the planned expansion. 

Dean Richmond, owner of Pet Family, said: “The support we have received from HSBC UK over the last five years has been invaluable and we are excited to continue to grow our unique offering for pet owners who want the best products for their pet. The growth of consumers wanting better products, sourced with integrity has shown no signs of slowing down, and we look forward to expanding internationally, both across Europe and in the USA with the support of HSBC UK.”

Michael Wilding, HSBC's Relationship Director, commented: “HSBC UK is proud to be supporting Pet Family as it continues its impressive growth journey, bringing new jobs and opportunities across the country. Our long-term, relationship focused approach has ensured that we’ve become a trusted partner to Pet Family, and we’re pleased to be able to be a part of this exciting phase in their growth and international expansion”. 

Pet Family invests in and operates several pet focused service outlets and pet food makers across the UK including Pets Corner, Pet Practice and Dogwood grooming spas. Pet Family began as a single Pets Corner store in Haywards Heath in 1968, growing to become a high-end, family-owned supplier of pet food and services across the UK.

After a record number of entries, the PetQuip trade association has revealed the list of finalists for the PetQuip Awards dinner on 1 October at Telford International Centre.

Spanning 11 categories, the awards include a mix of supplier, retailer and product categories, recognising products and people from across the trade. 

Launched this year, the New Starter Award acknowledges the many businesses who have entered the pet industry over the last three years. 

“The pet trade naturally attracts innovation and originality and this award recognises exciting, trend setting newcomers. The entries we have received for this category have been of extremely high quality, from businesses which have seen impressive growth so early in their business plan. Many of these entrepreneurs have come from adjacent industries and have switched from a corporate role to a kitchen table or workshop," said Susan Fairley, Trade Federation Manager for PetQuip.

This category mirrors the launch of the New Starter Zone at PATS Telford, which is an initiative proposed by PetQuip and supported by the trade association. The zone includes over 30 companies who are bringing fresh ideas, new trends and innovation to the market place.

Following preliminary judging, the entries have been shortlisted to finalists, who will be judged by an independent panel in early September. The winners will be announced at the industry awards dinner on 1 October, the first day of PATS Telford.

The evening will begin with a drinks reception, followed by a table service dinner and entertainment.

“The PetQuip Awards are always a great evening of celebration, recognition and networking for manufacturers, suppliers and retailers. We are reverting to our original format of a table service dinner this year, which promises to be a lively, enjoyable evening, celebrating the best of the best!” added Amanda Sizer Barrett, Director General, PetQuip.

Tickets for the dinner can be booked through the PetQuip website or by calling 01959 565995.

The PetQuip Awards are sponsored by: Group 55, Pedigree Wholesale, Whistl, Noble Futures, CIPS, James & Steel, Petface and PBW News and is organised in association with PATS Telford.

The PetQuip Awards 2023 are being contested by an impressive list of big-name brands and start-up companies.

The Ark, Devon, won UK Retailer of the Year in 2022. Who will pick up this year's prestigious award?

Business Service of the Year 

Antantics

DryDogs

Extremus Dog Training

Henry & Co

Pedigree Wholesale

Pet Trust UK

Puppy Tales

Slapton Holiday Cottage

Whitebeam Wood

Celebrating Green and Organic

Antantics

Benyfit Natural

Blue Pet Co (Vital)

Denzels

Di Filippo Legmani

Dogs 4 Wildlife

Dorwest Herbs

D-Style Ltd (Kompact9)

Eddgy

Furr Boost

HayPigs!

Inter-Zoo Pet Products

Mr Bug

Naturaw

Nilaqua Pets

Petface

Poocher

Simply2

The Soap Story (Vital)

Verm-X

Vitalin

Walker & Drake

Westland Horticulture

The Theresa Swann Exporter of the Year Award

Hownd

Macahl Animal Health

Mutney's

New Starter Award

Aloise & Co Ltd

Antantics

Bark Avenue 

Blue Pet Co (Vital)

Buddycare

DryDogs

D-Style Ltd (Kompact9)

Eddgy

Furr Boost

Gizzls

Hundhaus

Hugo and Ted

Oh So Precious 

PawDaw of London 

Pawer Water

Pet Trust UK

Petto Smart Nutrition (Vital)

Poocher

Poorly Paws

Simon's Kitchen Raw Food

The British Glass Lady

The Buffalo Co (Vital)

Tippaws 

Trinkety Paws

Walker & Drake

Product of the Year - Accessories/Technical

Aloise & Co Ltd

Bark Avenue 

Cocopup London

Company of Animals

DogSpace

D-Style Ltd (Kompact9)

Eddgy

No Fuss Fill (3 products)

PawDaw of London 

Paws in Earnest

Pedigree Wholesale (7 products)

Pets Choice

Pets Love Scruffs

Poocher

Red Dingo (3 products)

The British Glass Lady

The Dog-G8 Co

Trinkety Paws

Twiggy Tags

Yellow Dog UK

Product of the Year – Food/Treats

BasicBxtch 

Benyfit Natural

Blue Pet Co (Vital)

Burns Pet Nutrition 

Butchers Pet Care 

Denzels

Eden Holistic Pet Foods

Forthglade 

Furr Boost

HayPigs!

Hownd

Kennelpak (2 products)

Macahl Animal Health (2 products)

Mackle Pet Foods 

McAdams Pet Foods (2 products)

Mealberry

Naturaw

Nutriment 

Percuro Pet Food

Pedigree Wholesale (9 products)

Petto Smart Nutrition (Vital)

Sabre Pet Food Wholesale (2 products)

Snif-Snax 4 products

The Buffalo Co (Vital)

Walker & Drake

Whitebridge Pet Brands

Wilsons Pet Food (4 products)

Product of the Year – Healthcare/Animal Grooming

Buddycare

Company of Animals

Dorwest Herbs

Gizzls

Henry & Co

MSD Animal Health

Pedigree Wholesale (2 products)

Peregrine Live Foods

Pets Choice

Poorly Paws

ProTrainings Europe (2 products)

The Soap Story (Vital)

Watermans

Supplier of the Year

Benyfit Natural

Brambles

Burgess Pet Care

Butchers Pet Care 

ChickenGuard 

Furr Boost

GHS Direct Ltd

Harvest Pet Products Ltd

Mutney's

Naturaw

Pedigree Wholesale

Pet Trade Innovations

PowAir

The Dog-G8 Co

Walker & Drake

We.pet

UK Retailer of the Year

Cocopup London

Discount Feeds

Henry & Co

Lifetime Achievement Award 

To be announced on the night

Retailers and buyers are being encouraged to register for free entry to the biggest-ever PATS Telford, which will see more than 250 companies showcase their product ranges.

With just under two months to go before the UK’s National Pet Industry Event, taking place at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire on 1-2 October 2023, all exhibitor stands have now been sold.

It means that buyers will be able to see the widest range of pet products as they plan their stock for 2024 and beyond.

The 250+ companies exhibiting at PATS Telford range from well-known and established brands to a growing number of start-ups entering the market.

“A record number of 250+ companies have booked a stand in three halls at the Telford International Centre, making it the biggest-ever show in our 14-year history, and we know they have exciting ranges of new products to showcase,” said show director Gordon Thomas.

“We can promise visitors there will be plenty to see and do at PATS Telford, so we’re encouraging them to book their free ticket online now to make sure they don’t miss out.”

As well as being welcomed by 250+ companies, here are some more fact-based reasons why retailers cannot afford to miss the show:

• The popular New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, has 308 entries so far.
• There are 87 exclusive show offers in The PATS Red Book.
• The New Starter Zone, supported by PetQuip with media partner PPM, will see 30 start-ups showcasing new launches.
• The show will take place in three impressive halls, which cover 10,000 square metres of exhibition space.

As well as meeting the industry’s top suppliers, visitors will be given the chance to learn more about the grooming sector. There will be insightful demonstrations, workshops and talks from top groomers throughout the two days of the show, all hosted by Peanut & Pickle.

And to help make the visitor experience even more enjoyable and rewarding, PATS Telford offers free parking, free catalogue, and complimentary lunch voucher in addition to the regular tea or coffee voucher. 

Register now at www.patshow.co.uk where a full list of exhibitors can also be found.

As excitement starts to build for this year's show in October, a regular exhibitor reveals why PATS Telford has become a must-visit event for pet retailers and buyers.

Mark Hirschel, Commercial Director and Co-Founder of HOWND. 

Mark is pictured with fellow Co-Founder Jo Amit.

Why have you chosen to exhibit at PATS Telford? 

PATS Telford is such an important trade event for HOWND. The location of the show allows for customers from North and South to attend easily with good transport links. The size of the show, with its large open plan halls and high ceilings, creates a feeling of something grand and important. Plus the amount of fantastic brands on show helps drive footfall which seems to increase year after year. The show has always been our platform for launching new products. It’s great to take part in the New Product Showcase as well as the PetQuip Awards dinner where we've twice won double gold in previous years. 

What makes the exhibition so special?

It’s the one show that everyone wants to be at. When speaking to other companies about trade events, it’s always PATS Telford that gets mentioned. The show’s success comes down to having a central location, large halls, New Product Showcase, PetQip Awards dinner, the amount of brands on show and the footfall that comes through the doors over the two days. The show hours aren't incredibly long which I believe helps keep things busy throughout the day. For shop owners looking for the next big thing, wanting a place to walk through for inspiration, or just want to meet the people behind the brand, this show is the best.

How important is it for suppliers and manufacturers to have a show like PATS?

For any brand, manufacturer or supplier who wants to meet customers old and new, launch new products or just generate a bit of PR activity, then of course this show is important. PATS is literally a one-stop-shop for retailers, where they can come and see everything that makes the pet industry such a great one to be part of, so if you supply products then you need to be at this show. 

What are you hoping to achieve at the show?

Our main goal is to launch new products, build a bit of buzz around the brand, drive PR activities, meet both new and existing customers, talk about our products, and generally network and have a bit of fun. We've entered a few award categories so maybe gold is coming our way again, but even if it doesn't we are cool with that. It’s also a great opportunity to get feedback from people on how they are getting on with HOWND, what's really good and what things we could do better. And on a slight tangent, we have just kicked off a new investment round, so could our next investor be at the show?

Will you be unveiling new products there?

Yes!  We love launching new products at PATS. We’ve just received our first production of our new wellness treats. You may remember our old ones, which were great but possibly a bit too expensive for some. So, we’ve now updated our recipe, improved palatability, made them semi-moist, changed our packaging and brought down our RRP from £4.50 to £2.95. We’ve been busy testing these with loads of dogs and even we’re surprised how much they love them. My own dog is a total food snob (can get quite embarrassing at times when she turns her head after someone offers up their treats), but she really likes our new ones which is great to see. We’ve also updated our dry food recipe, again making it even more palatable, and added a few more plant-based key ingredients into the mix. Plus our new packaging designs are almost done which we’re really excited about so come check them out on stand and let us know what you think.

What would you say to a retailer thinking about visiting the show?

Although I understand why time away from your store can be a difficult thing to manage, I do think you’re doing yourself a disservice by not getting out for the day, seeing new products, new brands, and generally seeing all there is to see in a one-stop-shop place. You can collect samples and go back home with lots of new reading material to help make more informed buying decisions. Even if you only buy from a wholesaler, they are there too and usually with good show offers. So if you're the person responsible for product innovation and connecting with brands then it would be crazy to miss out on PATS. 

Registration for free entry to the show is open for retailers and buyers at www.patshow.co.uk

Company of Animals has secured a prestigious World Branding Award for its flagship brand Halti.

The prestigious accolade was bestowed upon the company at the annual World Branding Awards ceremony in Vienna, a celebration of excellence and innovation in branding from around the globe with over 100,000 pet and animal lovers from 32 countries, across 5 continents voting for their favourite brands.

The World Branding Awards recognise outstanding achievements in branding across various industries, honouring companies that have successfully positioned their brands as paragons of excellence and achieved unrivalled recognition among consumers. Following a rigorous assessment process, Company of Animals emerged victorious in the "Apparel and Accessories – Harnesses" category, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to providing top-notch pet training solutions to pet owners worldwide.

Halti, the flagship brand of Company of Animals, has been an industry leader since its inception. With an unwavering focus on developing humane and effective training products, Halti has forged a strong bond with pet owners and trainers alike. The brand's revolutionary Halti Headcollar, designed to gently steer dogs' heads to control their movement, has garnered widespread acclaim for its unparalleled effectiveness in promoting positive behaviour in dogs without causing any discomfort.

"We are absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured to receive the World Branding Award for Halti," said Dr Roger Mugford, Founder of Company of Animals. "This recognition is a testament to our team's relentless dedication to enhancing the lives of pets and their owners through our innovative training solutions. We have always believed in the power of positive reinforcement and gentle training techniques, and this award reinforces our commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of countless pets around the world."

With a global presence and a rapidly expanding customer base, Company of Animals has demonstrated its prowess in nurturing an enduring brand identity that resonates with pet owners worldwide. The World Branding Award serves as a testament to the brand's exceptional vision, creativity, and unwavering pursuit of excellence.

Over the years, Halti has received glowing reviews and endorsements from professional trainers, veterinarians, and pet owners, solidifying its position as a brand that pet lovers can trust and rely on. The award is a testament to Halti's genuine desire to create harmonious relationships between pets and their owners, enhancing the well-being of both.

The World Branding Award recognises Company of Animals' and Halti's dedication to innovation, ethical practices, and customer satisfaction. It reflects the company's efforts to provide pet owners with effective, compassionate, and scientifically backed training solutions that empower them to build a lasting bond with their furry companions.

Other World Branding Award winners from the UK were:

• Truline (dog food – dry/kibble)
• Pets at Home (pet superstore)
• Royal Veterinary College (veterinary education)
• Humane Society International (animal welfare)
• Petplan (pet insurance)
• Encore (cat food – canned/pouch))
• APPLAWS (natural treats)
• Hills Prescription Diet (dog food)
• Animal Planet (media)
• Purina Friskies (cat food – dry/kibble)

Pedigree Wholesale has launched a new customer ordering website to make finding products and ordering more straightforward and faster.

Following the challenges faced by their previous web hosting provider causing their website to be offline for an extended period, they decided to accelerate the launch of the new website, which operates on a new platform. The website address has remained www.petproducts.co.uk and comes with many great benefits such as quicker browsing, easier ordering, and is generally much more user-friendly. They have introduced an enhanced search function where customers can search by product name, brand, SKU code, or keyword, with popular suggestions now included. 

Pedigree Wholesale have introduced a new Quick Order List upload option, making it easier and faster for customers to upload an order. Plus, customers can create unlimited Shopping Lists for their usual weekly orders or create lists for those things they only need now and then. To make things easier for customers, each product will display its profit margin at RRP, so users can easily understand the return on investment on all products.

The new website has been completely refreshed with a new style to be more user-friendly. There are also several handy ‘how to’ videos in the Video Guides section to help their customers navigate the new website and aid them with the transition from using the old platform to the new one.

To celebrate the launch of their new website, Pedigree Wholesale are giving their customers the chance to win their order up to the value of £1,000 for free! For this week only, one lucky winner will be chosen at random (T&Cs apply). They also have a host of big discount website launch deals to celebrate too.

Gerard O’Mahony, Managing Director, Pedigree Wholesale, said, “Improving and updating our website is a key way that we are ‘Raising the Bar’ this year, our main priority in 2023. Investing in improving our service and finding ways to better serve our customers through an enhanced web platform was the right move for the Business, as our customers are at the heart of everything we do.”

The new website is now available by visiting www.petproducts.co.uk

HOWND, a leading brand of cruelty-free certified plant-based products for dogs, has announced the launch of its latest innovation – soft-baked functional Wellness Treats designed for optimal health.

With a focus on promoting overall wellbeing, HOWND presents an on-brand recyclable pouch range of five flavours that provide targeted benefits for dogs of all life stages. 

HOWND is committed to innovating natural cruelty-free certified products for dogs, with the new treats priced at RRP £2.95 to appeal to both grocery and independents. HOWND Wellness treats are accredited by the Vegetarian (Vegan) Society, PETA Not Tested on Animals, and the Ethical Company Organisation.

“We are committed to the well-being of all animals. Our new range of wellness treats reflects our dedication to providing dogs with the highest quality products that address their specific needs,” says HOWND co-founder and product director Jo Amit. 

“We believe that by combining natural ingredients with irresistible flavours, we can enhance the overall health and happiness of dogs everywhere.”

The vegan trend is gaining momentum more than ever and plant based treats are the natural introduction to both vegan and vegetarian dog food. The brand has sourced an innovative vegan alternative to commercially produced Chondoritin for joint support, and will be the first to include the Phytodroitin supplement in its treat range.

HOWND Wellness treats for dogs are hand-baked in biomass wood-fired ovens. They are nutrition-packed, 100% plant based and hypoallergenic to suit sensitive tummies. They come in five functional flavours: Golden Oldies with Phytodroitin, Glucosamine and Sunflower Hearts for joint mobility, Got an Itch? with Shiitake Mushrooms and Turmeric for healthy skin & coat; Yup You Stink! with Mint, Parsley and Lovage herbs to tackle smelly breath, Keep Calm with Camomile, Lavender and Valerian Root for stress relief; and Playful Pup with fresh Bananas and Marine Algae for growing pups and small breeds.

Hownd has been selected as a 2023 Petquip award finalist for the new treats, as well as for the Theresa Swann Exporter of the Year Award. HOWND will be showcasing its tasty new Wellness Treats along with the rest of the brand’s product ranges at PATS Telford on 1-2 October 2023, Stand F78.

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Global Risk Partners Limited (GRP), a Brown & Brown company, has entered the pet insurance market for the first time after completing the acquisition of Petsmedicover Limited, trading as VetsMediCover.

VetsMediCover is a pet insurance broker based in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. The business was founded in 2016 and is led by Sarah Bascombe. Its primary focus is cat and dog insurance.

Post-completion, the business will become part of Insync Insurance, the fast-growing digital broker which was acquired by GRP in December 2020.

Jon Norman, Managing Director at Insync, said the addition of VetsMediCover to the Insync portfolio is a “very exciting opportunity for us to apply our digital capabilities to a growing brokerage. We’re looking forward to working with the VetsMediCover team to build out our presence in the pet market.”

Jon explained that Sarah Bascombe will retire from the business after a transitionary period, and her senior colleague, Ben Foley, will become Head of Pet and take over the daily management of the business. The rest of the team are all moving across to join Insync.

Sarah Bascombe said: “We are thrilled to be the first acquisition for Insync and, following discussions with Jon and the Insync team, I’m confident that VetsMediCover, our team and our customers will be in excellent hands as it embarks on the next stage of its journey.

“Pet insurance is a sector that lends itself to digitisation, and Insync’s track record for expansion using digital techniques, albeit with the human touch when needed, will be a key factor in building the long-term success of the business.”

CSJ says its Orkney stockist can count himself a winner in two different fields – competing with his dogs in top trials and doing really well selling CSJ products.

Just a year ago Alan Clouston posted a photo of his dog Fara on Facebook and announced: “Fara shows everyone just why we feed our dogs on CSJ. We are now stockists for CSJ in Orkney.”

Since then he has built a highly successful business selling CSJ products and his latest news in trials includes winning the Open Spaniel Test with Fara at the Scottish Game Fair held at Scone Palace last month.

Following on Alan was also honoured to represent Scotland at the Game Fair at Ragley Hall in the Home Internationals Team event. 

He said: “A personal highlight of the trip was Fara winning Top Overall Spaniel and Top Hunting Spaniel, out of a field of 20 of the best Spaniels in the country!”

CSJ’s Ceri Rundle commented: “Like Alan, many of our stockists are also grass roots ‘dog people’ like ourselves and how fit and healthy their dogs are and how well they do in competition simply says it all for our products.”

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

Award-winning Mr Bug is set to launch its next tranche of insect protein innovation for healthier living hounds in the shape of a handy superfood shaker. The product is designed to provide a generous dash of mealworm protein seasoning at mealtime.

Mr Bug founder Conal Cunningham said: “Feedback from consumer shows like Crufts highlighted to us how worried growing numbers of pet parents were concerning the contents of their dog’s favourite dog foods. Insect protein toppers are seen as a commonsense means of providing a generous dusting of nutritional vitality to any dog’s daily eating regime.”

Available in a 135ml shaker (£5.99), Mr Bug’s mealworm seasoning provides yet further proof of the Devon business’ ongoing commitment to sustainable thinking and the circular economy, by championing forward-thinking farming techniques that use only a fraction of the land, water and feed of traditional farms.

Mrbug.co.uk

A popular online retailer selling luxury pet supplies drew fans from across the North to the opening of its first in-person store.

Pet Hamper, based in Preston and launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, sells high-end goodies for cats and dogs.

Initially an online-only retailer, the company is building on its early success by opening its first physical store.

Following months of research, design and DIY, the new home of Pet Hamper offers a luxury experience that is unlike any traditional pet shop.

The warm, welcoming and contemporary space features a chill-out area, arcade games and treats for pets.

The pet products which feature in the company’s bespoke hampers have been hand-selected from suppliers around the world, and can be found on well-lit, recessed shelving.

The grand opening was so highly anticipated by the brand’s fans that customers travelled from across Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester to be among the first to visit.

Emily Benson, who took the lead on researching, designing and installing the stores decor alongside company co-founder Mark Jackson, said: “We didn’t want to go down the traditional route of stacked shelves, bright lights and funky smells. We wanted to create somewhere welcoming that people would look forward to visiting.

“Instead we took our style cues from home interior design experts. We’ve created somewhere that’s inviting and fun. There’s no reason to rush - customers are invited to take their time, chat with us about recommendations for pet gifts or about pet ownership in general, have a drink, have their photo taken - it’s a full experience.”

And the new venture has proven to be a big hit among customers so far. Many of the customers who have already visited have left glowing reviews of the new store.

Pet Hamper is run by Emily Benson and Mark Jackson, who first launched the business during the pandemic as he was shopping for a gift for a friend’s pet and wasn’t able to find an appropriate present.

This sparked the idea of creating hampers which could be gifted to pets and their owners. An online store followed and the pair have now expanded with the first physical store.

Pet Hamper has also secured a number of corporate customers. The company’s products are available to guests staying at the luxurious Prince Akatoki Hotel in London, as incentives offered by insurance companies such as Animal Friends and Many Pets, and as rewards to customers of British Gas and Vodafone.

What is now the Pet Hamper store began as an office and storage space for the company, which was later converted by Mark and Emily over several months.

The store sits within a small but thriving business community between Preston and Lytham which also features a dog-friendly café, an independent brewer, a hairdresser and a gym. Located on a converted farm, the buildings feature eco-friendly aspects such as biomass heating and solar panels.

Mark said: “Our business has grown from strength to strength since we launched. Opening a physical store, where we could meet and chat with our customers seemed like the next logical step and within our first few weeks we have received so much positive feedback.

“We’re delighted that we have been able to connect with so many animal lovers and that they appreciate what we have to offer.”

Next up for Pet Hamper, Mark and Emily hope to spread their store’s physical presence further afield, initially beginning with pop-up shops in other areas of the UK, timed to coincide with busy sales periods, such as in the lead up to Christmas.

A popular pet store has introduced an indoor park so that dogs can play off lead, and already it is proving a huge success with customers.

The Deeside store, Pups, Pets & Ponies, has allocated 900 sq ft of floor space to the dedicated area called the Paws & Play.

Store owner Victoria Clay said: “We initially started doing breed meets in our dog friendly coffee shop last year. As popularity grew, we were often asked for more space to let the dogs off lead, so the idea of the indoor park came about.

“The indoor park has only been open for one month but the response has been fantastic, especially for customers who are nervous bringing dogs to open play or breed meets.

“Our puppy playdates are certainly the most popular and a favourite of the team for all the cuddles we get. 

“We are now introducing birthday parties and will probably introduce Christmas parties later in the year.”

Pets at Home saw revenues rising 10.2% to £568.2m, as the animal care brand was bolstered by new store openings. 

The pet store, which operates 453 sites across the UK, said that total group revenue reached £436.8m, up 7.9% when compared to last year.

Pets at Home opened two new shops during the first quarter and also refurbished nine stores in its portfolio.

The business also increased development of its digital platform, remaining on track to launch a new consumer app and website later this year. 

In June the business launched a £50m share buy back scheme, which it said at the time was to reduce its share capital. It is on track to be completed in September.

Chief executive Lyssa McGowan, said: “The quality of our growth has remained strong as we grew transaction volumes and continued to acquire new consumers at an impressive rate, as our compelling value, range and service continues to resonate with consumers.”

“It has also been a quarter of steady delivery against our strategic plan we set out in May. We have expanded and enhanced our physical estate, made good progress in the development of our digital platform, and continued the transition to our new distribution facility, as we execute on our ambition to build the world’s best pet care platform.”

Pictured: Pets at Home unveiled its Bristol Emersons Green pet care centre last month after an extensive refurbishment, following the launch of the company’s new brand identity.

Swindon’s Melinda Messenger was on hand this weekend to help open Jollyes’ new store in the town – and her pet dog Peggy was the star.

Peggy chomped through a string of sausages to declare the store open – Jollyes’ seventh store opening in 2023.

After opening the new pet superstore, Peggy took advantage of the store’s new ‘Jolly Groomer’ parlour to get a wash, trim - and blueberry facial from Jollyes’ star spa supremo Alison Luff.

The opening of the new Swindon store – Jollyes’ 91st in the UK - is part of the chain’s ambitious expansion plans which has seen it exceed £100 million turnover in FY2023, employ over 1,000 colleagues and put it well on the way to having 100 stores within the next 12 months.

See gallery of pictures below...