Chloe Heaton swapped a busy life working in financial services in the City of London to raise a family in Yorkshire but the entrepreneurial spirit never left her. Today she is the driving force behind The Innocent Hound and the company's luxury pet treats.

The company's luxury sausages for dogs are made with 80% British venison sustainably sourced from farms and parks with the highest standards of animal welfare, and are already proving popular. Now Chloe is looking to attract more customers by building up a bigger network of retailers throughout the UK.

Chloe spoke to Pet Trade Xtra about how she launched The Innocent Hound and revealed her plans for the future.

What is the inspiration behind The Innocent Hound?

The inspiration behind The Innocent Hound was our lurcher, Bongo. I used to spend a lot of time making home-cooked treats for him, but with the addition of two children to the family I couldn’t find the time. Overwhelmed with a feeling of guilt I thought I’d better start producing the finest treats Bongo could ever wish for.

What is your background?

I worked in Financial Services in the City of London for over 10 years before moving to Yorkshire and raising a family. After a short career break I took the opportunity to start something new that I was really passionate about. Having grown up always having a family dog around me it made so much sense for me to venture down this route.

What gave you the idea for your range of treats?

People today care more and more about the food they buy for themselves – where it comes from, the welfare of animals, whether its healthy, and so on. The Innocent Hound believes that these values should be reflected when buying food for pets too. That is why our luxury sausages are made with 80% British venison sustainably sourced from farms and parks with the highest standards of animal welfare. They are made with natural ingredients and are hypoallergenic too so suitable for even sensitive tummies.

How did you set about making your plans a reality?

When the idea was born I was immediately excited and passionate about this new venture and most of all really believed in the product. Once I had decided to run with the idea then it suddenly snowballed in a very short space of time, and now here I am with a house full of venison sausages...and a slightly frustrated lurcher who isn’t allowed to touch them!

Who's involved in the business?

I run the business on my own which is great as I have full control. Bongo was the obvious choice when I had to recruit a Chief Product Tester.

Where are your treats produced?

They are manufactured locally here in Yorkshire.

Has it been hard to get the business off the ground?

We have had our share of challenges but that has to be expected with a start-up. One of the biggest ones was having to order what seemed like a huge minimum quantity of product before we really knew if it would take off. However, the response that we’ve had from both retailers and the public has been phenomenal and it wasn’t long before we had to place a new order.

Have people like Piers Smart at Scampers helped?

It is hugely refreshing and inspiring to see how Scampers are keen to break away from the norm and offer customers a fantastic selection of food and treats not found on the high street. It is also hugely flattering to see The Innocent Hound’s products on their shelves. They are a specialist retailer with a real passion for providing the very best products for dogs, and as a start-up business, having support from Piers has been really beneficial.

Where can people buy your treats?

We are working hard at building a network of retailers  across the country who have similar values to us and are keen to promote healthy, natural, quality products. Until we have a strong nationwide distribution we are using a range of marketing tools to get through to pet owners and grow the brand. Facebook, Twitter, pet shows and a shop on our website all help develop our customer base but this only accounts for a small percentage of our sales. 

Would you like to get into more pet stores and garden centres?

Absolutely!

Tell us about your current product range.

We currently have three products in the range. Our venison and chopped apple chipolatas look and smell like they have come from the finest charcuterie. We also make larger sausages for larger breeds, and ready sliced sausages which are ideal for training. All of the products come in handy resealable tubs.

Do you hope to extend the range?

We are going to extend the range with some delicious new recipes and are working on some great ideas for Christmas too.


For more information email woof@theinnocenthound.co.uk or visit www.theinnocenthound.co.uk

Supporting start-up companies with brilliant new ideas is crucial to the future success of the pet trade. That’s the view of Piers Smart from the award-winning Scampers Natural Pet Store in Cambridgeshire.

“It’s such a joy to deal with people with enthusiasm and passion for what they’re doing,” said Piers.

“And it’s great to see these independent companies thinking hard about their products and then bringing fresh ideas to what was becoming a tired industry. I want to support and help them to become established brands.”

Piers uses social media to find out about start-ups, who have something interesting to bring to the market.

“Platforms like Facebook and Twitter are great for discovering new talent. If I see something I like the look of, I will make contact and try to find out more about the products and the people behind them.

“I will invite them to visit my store and show them how we display products from other like-minded companies. I will offer them advice and discuss ways to get their products off the ground.”

Piers is getting such a good reputation for helping independent companies, that many now contact him for advice.

“I really get a lot of satisfaction nowadays from supporting these people,” said Piers. “At this point in my career I want to help them wherever possible because I was once in a similar position. And I’m having fun doing it.

“These young, passionate people are bringing new theatre to our business, and that has to be good for the industry.

“I know it’s good for the people who visit Scampers – our clients – because they love to see new and well thought-out products on our shelves.”

To find out more about scampers visit www.scampers.co.uk

Irish company Seahorse Atlantic, which produces natural kelp supplements for horses, dogs and cats, is one of an increasing number of international companies using PATS Harrogate to tempt UK pet retailers to stock their products.

Ten companies from Ireland, continental Europe and America have booked to exhibit at the Harrogate show on Sunday and Monday, September 15-16.

These include five businesses from the Republic of Ireland – Country Pet, Seahorse Atlantic, Soopa Pet Treats, Connolly’s Red Mills and Hypocare.

Germany will be represented by Flexi and Trixie, Belgium by Versele-Laga, and Spain by Dixie. Canidae Corporation from America has also booked its stand at PATS Harrogate.

A total of 150 exhibitors will be showcasing their products over the two-day show, which promises to be the biggest and best in PATS’ five-year history.

Seahorse Atlantic is exhibiting at PATS for the first time, and is keen to show UK retailers its natural kelp supplements for horses, dogs and cats.

The company’s unique recipe was developed by Sarah O’Sullivan, a marine biologist, zoologist and seaweed expert. It was from combined knowledge of the marine environment, strong animal and scientific background that determined the formula behind the Seahorse Atlantic Kelp Care range.

“We source different species of kelp (a form of seaweed) with only the highest quality which is grown in the purest of the Atlantic Ocean,” says Sarah. “We use our scientific and animal knowledge to carefully select the correct seaweed tailored to the nutrient requirements of horses, cats and dogs.

“We decided now is the ideal time for Seahorse Atlantic to exhibit at PATS where we can reveal our newly rebranded Kelp Care range. We are looking forward to further cementing existing relationships as well as showcasing our range of products to new and potential international distributors and retailers.”

Sarah will be sharing her stand with another newcomer Soopa Pet Treats, which makes dog treats from sweet potato, papaya and coconut. “A trade show like PATS is a huge opportunity to meet with like-minded people in the industry and a great platform to further promote my products,” says the company’s Barbara Hanly.   

Another Irish company Country Pet manufactures and distributes a wide range of luxury pet toys and accessories, and its representative Eoin O’Neill says: “We’re excited to exhibit at PATS as it is the perfect opportunity for us to showcase our product line to the UK market.

“The personal touch of a trade show is the best way to enhance current business relationships and build new partnerships. PATS offers a great opportunity to boost international sales by promoting our services and showcasing our product line.”

Country Pet will be launching a new range of winter dog coats at the show, including a waterproof harness coat and a luxury tweed coat. The company will also be showcasing its new Sherpa Fleece dog bed.

Exhibitor space at PATS Harrogate has nearly sold out and visitors can expect a vast array of new and rebranded products from a wide selection of manufacturers and suppliers.

The show will also be full of popular visitor features, including the New Products Showcase and Awards, an extensive programme of free seminars, and the Grooming Workshop.

Ryan's Pet Centre in Dumbarton changed hands this week as owners Robert and Sue Ryan decided the time was right to move on.

The shop first opened on Glasgow Road in Dumbarton East in 1985 before moving to the High Street seven years later, and is one of the most recognisable shops in the town centre.

"I don't think it will really hit me until the store re-opens, because it's been such a big part of my life," said Robert,

"It's time to move on though, I've been thinking about it for a while, and the business will probably benefit from new ideas and new direction."

Robert has many treasured memories from the past 28 years, but overall it's the relationship with the people of Dumbarton that has been his highlight.

He added: "The personal relationship we had with the people of Dumbarton is what I'll take with me. They all knew I was a Dumbarton fan so I would get banter because of that.

"The friendliness of the people in Dumbarton, they have been absolutely great, we've made a lot of friends over the years."

Animal lovers in the town shouldn't worry however, as the shop will remain open as Ryan's Pet Centre, with Jim and Miranda Graham taking over as owners.

Jim has worked in the shop for five years and has known Robert for around 20 years.

He said: "We have got to step up to the mark and deliver the same service the existing customer base is used to. Hopefully everything runs smoothly with the transition."

The new meaty bones and chews range from Natures Menus are a natural, healthy alternative to smoked or cooked treats and bones.

They are also an important part of a raw diet and can be fed to dogs as part of their daily feeding guide.

Chewing also has great calming effects. The new range of meaty bones and chewing meats are carefully selected for both their nutrition content and their value as enjoyable recreational treats. They are provided in smaller packs to ensure that a variety of products can be given simply and effortlessly. 

Raw meaty bones are nature's toothbrush and provide the ‘crunch factor’ dogs need to improve their mouth and tooth health in a more natural way than a starch based biscuit meal or treat.

They are also a wonderful way to provide dogs with good quality bone building nutrition in the correct levels as well as other wonderful nutrients, such as the essential fatty acids, enzymes, and even vitamin k2, which helps your pets large intestine to function optimally, bone to form and blood to clot properly.

• Beef Ribs
• Beef Knuckle Bone
• Marrow Bone
• Paddywacks
• Beef Meaty Chew
• Duck Wings
• Duck Necks
• Chicken Portions with whole bone
• Beef Heart
• Lamb Heart
• Beef Trachea
• Turkey Necks
• Beef Liver

The categories of the awards will be:

1. UK Pet Retailer of the Year
2. International Pet Retailer of the Year
3. Groomer of the Year
4. Supplier of the Year
5. Wholesaler of the Year
6. Pet Product Innovation of the Year
7. Pet Product Exporter of the Year

Entry into the awards is free of charge and entrants can submit nominations in as many of the categories as they wish. Nominations can come direct from the entrant or be submitted by another party. The application needs to provide full contact details of the entrant and stipulate which category is being entered. Applications need to include brief information on the reason for the entry and why the particular company or person qualifies for an award.  Nominations need to be emailed to Pat Flynn, PetQuip’s trade association manager at pat@petquip.com by July 29.

The entries will be judged by an independent panel of judges during August, and the winners will be announced on September 15 at the awards and party night in the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate. Tickets will include dinner, wine, and a short professional awards ceremony followed by dancing to a live band. Email pat@petquip.com for a ticket booking form.

Commenting on the awards, Pat Flynn said: “Awards are a marvellous way of raising the awareness of a product or service and creating creditability for their future success. The pet sector is a vibrant industry with many successful operators, so recognition of these in the awards ceremony promises to be one of the highlights of the year for anyone involved”. 

Gordon Thomas, of Impact Exhibitions, the organisers of PATS, said: "It's great that PetQuip has decided to stage these new awards alongside our Harrogate exhibition. PATS Harrogate promises to be a brilliant show for the industry, a fact that can only help to enhance these awards."

Leading pet accessory and dog training company, Leicestershire-based Xtra Dog, has come up with a tasty way to keep dogs cool this summer. 

Freezy Pups are a new frozen, made at home organic treat that will keep dogs happy, hydrated and satisfied throughout the warm weather.

They can be stored in cold boxes for use when a dog is travelling in a vehicle and is susceptible to changes in temperature. They can also be used as a dog training treat when out and about on hot sunny days.

Freezy Pups Kits come in two sizes – regular and large – and consist of one cool bone-shaped ice cube tray and a sample packet of four organic gourmet recipes – White Cheddar Cheese, Juicy Apple, Sweet Potato 'n Maple, and Chicken Soup. Each packet makes 14 bone-shaped treats.

They are easy to make. Just mix a packet with hot water, freeze in the tray and then serve. The tray is made from non toxic, food grade, recyclable materials and manufactured in the USA. There are no artificial colourings, sweeteners, additives or preservatives used.

The recommended RRP for Freezy Pups is £19.99 with the refill packs £8.99?

For more information visit www.xtradog.com or telephone: 0330 088 3547.

Five members of staff at Burns Pet Nutrition in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, have notched up 57 years of service between them working on a voluntary basis for the Mid and West Wales Fire Service.

Peter Morris,  Mike Fitzpatrick, Spencer Chilvers, Wayne and Chris Eldred answer 999 calls during the day and evenings.

“As a company we believe that it is important to put something back into the community," said John Burns.

"We are extremely proud of our staff members who are not only enthusiastic employees but are also extremely brave members of the local Fire Service.

"Fire fighters put their lives at risk everyday and play such a vital part in protecting us all.”

Pictured: John and Tegwen Burns with Rob Quinn from Mid & West Wales Fire Service, along with the firefighters from Burns Pet Nutrition.

TopLife Formula, the range of natural pet milks, treats and food for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens is to launch new packaging designs across its pet milk range.

The pet brand, owned by speciality dairy, Delamere Dairy, has overhauled the design and format of its 200ml cartons, moving to a more convenient screw cap version which will hit the shelves over the next few months, beginning with its Milk for Dogs line in July.

The new look brings more vibrancy and fun to the TopLife range of Milk for Dogs, Puppies, Cats and Kittens, as well as highlighting the digestibility of goats’ milk for pets – to be introduced across the entire range. Currently, Milk for Cats is made with a lactose reduced cows’ milk and will move to goats’ milk later this year.

Most pets love the taste of milk, but some can face digestive problems with ordinary cows’ milk. TopLife Milks are moving to 100% goats’ milk and the digestibility and use of goats’ milk as a healthy treat will become the leading brand message to create stand out in the pet treat sector.

The introduction of a new screw cap format makes the product re-sealable and more convenient for consumers, especially for those with a single pet who use TopLife milks as a treat over a number of days as well as for dog and puppy owners who use the milks when out and about. 

“We are delighted with the new look of our milk range," said sales and marketing director Pat Brunt. "Our TopLife pet milks offer a delicious and healthy product for owners looking to treat their pets and we wanted to combine the two key messages associated with our brand – healthy and fun.

"Moving our Milk for Cats to 100% goats’ milk gives the entire range a stronger USP and message, plus the introduction of a new screw cap also makes the product much more convenient and user-friendly.” 

A vet has appeared in court charged with defrauding more than £225,000 from pet insurance firms through bogus claims.

Dr Daniel Morgan is accused of trying to cheat insurers Petplan, Pet Protect, Direct Line and Sainsbury’s while working at 1066 Veterinary Centre in Battle Road, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex.

The 38-year-old of Goodworth Road, Redhill, Surrey appeared at City of London Magistrates Court on June 27.

The dishonest claims are said to have been made between September 2009 and December 2012.

Prosecutor Kandiah Bancroft-Binns said the alleged frauds involved amounts totalling £226,360.67.

Magistrates said they did not have the powers to deal with the matter and sent the case to the Old Bailey.

Morgan will appear at that court for a further hearing on July 22.

He was bailed on the condition he surrendered his passport.

London pet goods distributor Treats DG has acquired exclusive rights to distribute upmarket dog clothing and harness brand Luna Blue in the UK.

Luna Blue's entry to the UK market marks yet another milestone for the Hawaiian based company, which since its inception in 2007 has grown rapidly. It is now sold in pet stores throughout the US, including in high-end Beverly Hills and New York City boutiques frequented by the rich and famous.

Nima Karimzadeh, MD of Treats DG, first discovered Luna Blue at the Global Pet Expo in Florida:

"The Luna Blue stand immediately caught my attention. The designs were so vibrant, and the colours jumped out at me. I remember picking up a harness and being astonished by the level of detail on it. From a fashion perspective and a functional one too, it ticked all the boxes. I knew straight away I had to bring Luna Blue to the UK," said Nima.

The launch couldn't come at a better time either. With UK consumers spending over £650 million on pet accessories each year,* pet retailers now have the opportunity to stock a one of a kind collection that will satisfy the most fashion conscious dog lovers out there.

Luna Blue is available to UK pet retailers now. The collection includes shirts, dresses, tank tops, hoodies, sweaters, tutus, leashes and harnesses.

For information about stocking Luna Blue, contact Nima Karimzadeh at info@treatsdoggrooming.co.uk or on 020 7289 5375.

About Luna Blue: Luna Blue was established in Hawaii in 2007. They produce trendy and upmarket dog clothing and harnesses which are sold in stores throughout the US, Canada and Japan.

About Treats DG: Treats DG is the wholesale distribution arm of Grand Union Pets. Grand Union Pets is a boutique pet store operating in North London. They have been trading since 2008. They are registered with the Pet Care Trade Association and the British Dog Grooming Association. 

 *AMA Research Report. 7th Edition. 'Pet Accessories Market - UK 2011 - 2015.'

It cannot be denied that it has been a tough 12 months for suppliers with trading levels under severe pressure as retailers struggle to get customers to part with their cash.

However, the ever resourceful suppliers continue to invest in innovation to bring new and exciting products to market. The result is that the GIMA Award entries are up on last year by over 9% as suppliers seek to gain additional recognition of their efforts.

GIMA Awards Director Neil Gow said: “We are seeing increased entry levels in every category which is great. I am particularly pleased to see the number of plant nurseries recognising the value of our Awards and we have more plant entries than ever before. Another category where we are seeing a good increase in entry numbers is in the pet and aquatic products category”

There are still places available at the Awards Dinner and Presentation Evening which takes place on July 18 at The Queens Hotel, Leeds.

Leading dog accessory company Xtra Dog launches their range of Bergan and Pet Friendly car harnesses and calls for more regulation on the testing of pet restraining products.

We are supposed to be a nation of animal lovers and will frequently travel on the road with our pampered dogs and cats in the car but surveys have shown that around 98% of people still neglect travel safety provisions for their pets.

A survey carried out by car windscreen specialists Autoglass as far back as 2009 also showed that 40% of the drivers they surveyed failed to restrain their pets in cars. These drivers not only risked having a crash by being distracted but even worse they risked being crushed by their own beloved pets.

During a 30mph accident the animal’s body weight increases by more than 30 times. This means that an average family Labrador or Retriever sat on the back seat would be thrown forward with a one tonne weight, easily injuring those in the front or even killing them.

Advice given out by RoSPA the society that looks into the prevention of accidents recommends that car harnesses are the best way to restrain a dog in the back of the vehicle but whereas passenger safety belts and child car seats are subjected to rigorous testing, pet car harnesses are not subject to the same regulations.

Alex Wilson, a Tellington Touch Practitioner in Training and Marketing Director of pet accessory company Xtra Dog, says attitudes to travelling dogs in the car are changing.

"For many people it has always been very acceptable for the dog to be on the back seat un-restrained or sitting in the foot well of the passenger seat, or worse still sitting on the passenger or even the driver's lap.

“The Highway Code states that dogs must not be a distraction to the driver and advises that they are best transported in a crate or a car harness, but unfortunately this does not go far enough. There is no standard in the UK for this type of equipment, what is to stop a manufacturer obtaining a basic dog harness and marketing it as a suitable for the car?

"The special seats in cars for children have to be tested and carry a necessary kitemark, yet dogs can be transported in un-tested car harnesses or crates. It frightens me that most car harnesses in the UK have had no safety testing ... even equipment sold by big name companies and products endorsed by motoring organisations have not had proper crash testing or even safety testing."

In the USA a standard has been developed called V9DT B2009.1. This was based on tensile tests run at Sherry Laboratories in Oklahoma where a number of high street car harnesses were tested against the Bergan Car harness and the Bergan harness was awarded a V9DT B2009.1. Full details of the tests can be found at www.v9dt.com. Dr Jason Nicholas, a well known TV vet in the USA who goes by the name of the Preventative Vet recommends the Bergan car harness.

“From a comfort and safety standpoint, the wide padded chest piece seems designed to more evenly distribute the force that your pet would experience in the event of a short stop or accident. It seems to me that the design of the chest piece on this harness would result in less compressive force transmitted to your pet,” said Dr Nicholas.

The Bergan car harness is available from Xtra Dog in four sizes – small, medium, large and extra large to suit all sizes of dogs. For added convenience, the Bergan harness features a single hook system for instant loading and unloading. Prices start from £30.90 for the small harness up £44.30 for the extra large.

In Canada they have gone one step further and RC Pet Products has created a fully crash tested Canine Friendly car harness. This harness has been put under similar tests as child safety seats. Although this harness comes with a slightly higher price ticket of RRP £80, it is worth remembering that the tests run on the harness cost them in excess of $150,000.

An out-of-hours vet has been kicked out of the profession for leaving a seriously injured dog in agony after she was run over on a farm.

The 14-year-old Labrador cross, called Mitzi, was left suffering for well over an hour when locum Munhuwepasi Chikosi told the owner he could not visit because he was looking after other animals.

Chikosi was working as a locum at the Vets Now out-of-hours emergency service in Barton when Mitzi’s owner telephoned and asked for a home visit so the dog could be put down.

But the vet said he could not make it to the farm, which was only 10 or 15 minutes away, and asked for Mitzi to be wrapped in a blanket and driven to the surgery on September 9, 2011.

When Mitzi’s owner tried to move her into a Land Rover the distressed animal bit his son, prompting another call to the practice.

Chikosi then said he could get another vet to visit “probably in the next hour or two," the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons heard.

Instead of going himself, he then waited another hour until a second surgeon arrived at the out-of-hours service.

After a two-day hearing the RCVS panel decided his conduct fell below that expected of a vet and struck him off.

“The committee is satisfied that the delay caused Mitzi unnecessary suffering, which was evidenced by her uncharacteristically biting her owner’s son,” said Professor Peter Lees, who chaired the panel.

“Her owner had recognised the severity of the injuries and the need for euthanasia as soon as was practicable.”

Professor Lees added: “Mr Chikosi’s failure to attend a seriously injured dog promptly in the circumstances described falls far short of the conduct to be expected of a reasonably competent veterinary surgeon.”

The committee found Chikosi made no efforts to find out whether Mitzi was in a fit condition to be moved.

His advice on moving the dog was judged to be wrong.

The committee found that although Chikosi was the only vet at the practice at the time, there were no critical cases and a qualified nurse was on hand.

Ancol has teamed up with dog behavioural experts Pure Dog Listeners to produce a series of online video guides so customers can find out more about grooming and choose the right product for their pet.

The video guides feature Pure Dog Listeners Director Caroline Spencer testing out Ancol’s range of slickers, combs, brushes, clippers and tick tools on dogs and cats.

Sales director Sarah Lane comments: “We decided to make the video guides to show customers our wide range of grooming tools, how to use them correctly and help them to choose the correct grooming product for their pet.”

Ancol Pet Products has over 40 years experience in pet grooming products and this year their popular Ergo grooming range is bigger and better than ever.

“Following feedback, we have refreshed the packaging on our Ergo range to include grooming tips, illustrations and detailed guides for each product, plus a QR code which links through to our new videos.”

You can view the grooming videos at www.ancol.co.uk

Ronnie Corbett is set to present a new BBC1 show about the nation’s pets.

Ronnie’s Pedigree Pals will air on BBC1 over the summer and will feature animals whose owners are trying to get them to triumph in best in show competitions.

Dogs, cats, miniature pigs, camels and skunks are among the animals to be featured in the upcoming series, which the BBC are aiming at the UK’s many animal lovers.

Corbett said of Pedigree Pals: "This series celebrates our nation’s love of animals which I share.

"Though I am finding the latest addition to my family a bit of a handful; he’s a very playful rescue dog called Baz, and this series will also be following his progress as he adapts to life in the Corbett household."

BBC Commissioning Editor for Factual Features and Formats Alison Kirkham added: "It is fantastic to be able to welcome a true national treasure, Ronnie Corbett, back to BBC One.

"Ronnie combined with one of Britain’s favourite passions, pets, feels like a real treat."

The British Property Federation has told an influential committee of MPs that in order for high streets to survive empty units need to be converted into other uses, such as residential and even community facilities like doctor and dentist surgeries.

Giving evidence at the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) inquiry into the retail sector chief executive of the British Property Federation Liz Peace also highlighted the damaging impact of business rates – both to retailers and landlords in the form of empty property rates – in driving money away from where it was most needed to help maintain and regenerate high streets.

She said: “The 20th century saw a rapid expansion of high streets that simply cannot be supported today. Even putting aside the current economic troubles, there’s less demand for high street retail and we’re likely to witness further contractions, particularly outside the retail core.

“Facilitating this shrinkage while finding alternative uses for properties that clearly have no retail future is where the focus should be. And the solution isn’t necessarily retail; there are other uses, like doctor and dentist surgeries as well as residential that could occupy these buildings and drive football.

“With business rates in most parts of the country increasing far more rapidly than rents, and by over 200% since 1991, the burden to both retailers and landlords continues to increase. 

“In terms of the bigger picture it needs to be considered whether a tax that exaggerates the advantages of internet retailers over the high street is fair at all.”

Bermuda, the water garden brand of Solus Garden & Leisure, has introduced two new illuminated misters to attract buyers for the Halloween season.

Both the triple outdoor and single indoor misters can be ordered with a slip-on full colour laminated Halloween packaging sleeve for a special seasonal offer. The triple outdoor mister has been re-named 'Spooky Fog' for the occasion, whilst the single indoor version is known as  'Witches Mist'. 

At the flick of a switch the multi-coloured light units emit a mysterious and eerie mist which instantly conjures up that spooky Halloween atmosphere.

Outdoors, the garden is enveloped in a sudden, unnerving fog. Indoors, the witches' cauldron comes to life.

Ideal for Halloween parties and appealing to fans of Harry Potter and all things witchy, the misters will form an stunning focal point in a seasonal Halloween display. Spooky Fog and Witches Brew will not only sell themselves but also help sell any other seasonal products in the display. After the end of the promotion, the slip-on promotional outer sleeves can easily be removed, revealing the products' regular eye-catching Bermuda-branded packaging;  and unsold misters can be returned to their normal sale locations.

The outdoor mister has 36 multicolour LED lights with can be remotely controlled, whilst the indoor model has nine multicolour LEDs and comes complete with float and a plug transformer. Price points are £29.99 for the indoor light and £89.99 for the outdoor, with volume discounts available to encourage in-store Halloween promotions.