The owners of an award-winning pet store set to close in a fortnight have told Pet Trade Xtra this week they hope to return to the pet industry in the future. Husband-and-wife team Jamie and Liz Gleave are being forced to shut down Paws and Claws at Frodsham Railway Station, Cheshire, due to problems with their new landlord.
“We will be permanently closing our shop in a fortnight,” said Jamie. “We had planned to sell the business to ensure it remained part of Frodsham's independent retail offering. However the new landlord did not want to proactively work with us to facilitate the sale after we had secured a willing buyer.”
Paws and Claws was voted UK Retailer of the Year in 2017 at the PetQuip Awards, as Jamie and Liz were rewarded for all their efforts in transforming an ailing business they bought in 2010.
The Arch Company, which claims to be largest provider of properties for small and medium sized business in England and Wales, took over as landlord after buying Network Rail’s portfolio of commercial properties.
“Sadly like many commercial landlords they do not appear to appreciate the challenges that small independent businesses currently face in the retail environment, or the contribution they make towards the vibrancy and diversity of towns,” said Jamie.
“In our case it seems they are content for an established business to just close and leave their property empty, rather than work with them to secure its long term occupancy and future rental income.”
Jamie continued: “We're also facing repair bills and may potentially have to pay a worrying large sum of money for a water leak that was not our fault. The uncertainty over this is likely to continue for at least a month after we close our doors.
“The actions and attitude of our landlord are, quite frankly, unfathomable and the whole experience has made Liz quite unwell in recent weeks.
“We're very sad to be leaving the pet trade but our landlord has put us in an untenable position. We have looked into whether we could move the business into another property in the town, but nothing suitable is available and if I am honest our preference would be to buy something outright rather than ever rent again.
“In terms of the future, we are looking to relocate to Shropshire in a couple of years once our son has finished school and our house renovations are completed. It's likely Liz will open another shop once we're settled, but she is also interested in other possible businesses such as dog daycare or kennels. At the moment the options are open, but I expect we will be back at some point.”
The Arch Company have said they have tried to find a solution to the concerns raised by Jamie and Liz.
Pat Flynn, PetQuip’s trade association manager, said: “It’s sad to see Jamie and Liz having to close their award-winning business under such difficult circumstances. It’s a fantastic and unique pet store that deservedly won the PetQuip Retailer of the Year Award in 2017, and such a shame it will no longer be in operation. I wish Jamie and Liz all the best for the future and hope that one day they return to the pet trade.”
