Coventry pet shop to close after nearly half-a-century of trading
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 Family-run pet shop Hobdays in Coventry will open for the last time today with a half-price sale. The closure has been blamed on rising rental charges.
Andrew Hobday, 59, who took over the running of the shop with his brother Tim after their father, Peter, was taken ill, said: “We are one of the oldest shops on the hill and well known around the city.
“We took it over from my dad when he fell ill.
“We have been winding down for a while, and it’s been really sad to see everything gradually go.”
The closure will also mark the end of 80 years of the Hobday family trading at Ball Hill.
Andrew and Peter’s grandparents had a corner shop there nearly 80 years ago.
The shop, that was once jam-packed and buzzing with children after they finished school just round the corner and popped in to see the animals, now looks deserted.
Andrew added: “The shop is virtually empty now and in the last week we will be slashing prices to get rid of the stock.
“I am upset, it will be a sad day for us all as it has been in the family for so many years.”
The reason for its closure is that the freehold on the building has been sold and the family can no longer rent the property.
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