City centre pet shop to close after nearly 70 years
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A pet shop in Oxford has closed its doors for the last time after nearly 70 years in the city's Covered Market.
High rents, high business rates, the Westgate redevelopment and the emergence of two Pets at Home supermarkets on the outskirts of the city have led to Price's Pet Supplies closing down.
The Covered Market unit has been a pet shop since 1947 when it was opened as Levett's Pet Shop.
Yvonne Winters, who has owned the shop with her sister Jean Reeve, since 2004 said it was a very sad decision to have to make.
She said: "We have some fantastic memories and have met some wonderful people and it's incredibly sad to have to shut the shop.
"When our rents went up 16.% four years ago we knew it would be tough and with the threat of another increase next year we can't keep the business going."
The 66-year-old added: "Ultimately it's because of the lack of footfall – and it has got worse since the start of this year. It seems people have stopped coming into the city centre.
"The emergence of Pets at Home in Botley and Cowley hasn't helped either, as people now tend to drive there and do larger shops rather than coming to us."
She said the shop had become a meeting place and point of contact for the city's pet owning community. "It has not only been a pet shop; it has also been a hub for pet owners.
"People come in and have a cup of tea and a chat, and occasionally, when their pets have passed away, they come for support."
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