Two independent pet shops - Wokingham Pet Shop in Berkshire (pictured above) and Dorking Pet Centre in Surrey – are set to close, blaming a slump in trade for their demise.

The Wokingham store has been in existence for almost 90 years while the Dorking business has traded for 30 years.

The owners of Dorking Pet Centre in West Street say they have taken the "difficult decision" after experiencing a 40% drop in sales following the opening of a branch of Pets Corner on the same street at the end of 2012.

Rebecca Boychuk, who has co-owned the business with husband Bruce for the last seven years, also blames the loss of custom on internet shopping and out-of-town retail parks which she says are making high street shopping less desirable to many.

"Since a large retail pet chain was allowed to open a substantial shop in West Street, we have had a 40% drop in sales," said Rebecca.

"Christmas, which should have helped shore us up, was very poor and all these things together have made this a very unhappy start to 2014."

Dorking Pet Centre is holding a closing down sale before the doors are closed for good on February 1.

Wokingham Pet Shop owner Richard Croydon says the 'hopeless' trade in the Berkshire town centre has led to the closure of his shop which has been in existence since the 1920s.

Seventy-five-year-old Richard plans to finally retire after 23 years managing the town centre store.

"I've hung on and on but haven't been making money. It's hopeless," he said.

"When I took over we employed lots of staff but now we are down to just one.

"It's like greengrocers or butchers - you don't find them in town centres now, and you don't find pet shops either."



Rebecca Boychuk is closing her Dorking Pet Centre. (Picture: Dorking & Leatherhead Advertiser)