A Southampton pet food and accessory retailer has launched a parking charge reimbursement scheme in a bid to support its customers. 

Healthy Pet Store in Salisbury Road, Totton, has introduced the scheme which allows customers to claim back one hour of their parking fee with a minimum spend in store - the cost of which is covered entirely by Healthy Pet Store. 

The store is serviced by Westfield Road car park and customers regularly leave the store with heavy loads of raw pet food supplies.

The managing director of Healthy Pet Store Deborah Burrows said customers rely on being able to conveniently park close to the store due to heavy loads.

She added that high streets up and down the country are in dire straits, so it is vital that shopping with independent retailers is convenient and cost-effective.

Following the introduction of parking charges by the New Forest District Council in 2021, Healthy Pet Store regularly received negative feedback from customers about the charges.

Deborah said: “While I appreciate the pressures councils face and that at-machine rates have not increased for three years, New Forest District Council could choose to support businesses on its high streets by introducing a short period of free parking. 

“We’re a cornerstone of the local community and see many customers come from surrounding areas in Hampshire, even from the Isle of Wight. Our customers should be able to do their weekly or monthly shopping easily - and now they can. 

Healthy Pet Store is an independent pet food and accessory retailer, selling a wide range of raw pet food, toys and training supplies, with its store and support offices based in Totton.

To find out more about Healthy Pet Store, visit healthypetstore.co.uk.