A Lancashire pet shop owner is looking to find her stock new homes after deciding to close her business after 10 years.
Jane Rollings, 47, has been running Pendle Pets in Clitheroe since 2005 after joining the business in 2003.
The New Market Street store will close its doors for the final time on Saturday, November 30, amid pressures to cover the rising cost of bills.
The store is well-known in Clitheroe and has a ‘very loyal’ customer base.
Mum-of-one Jane, who attended Moorland School, who has fish, snails and snakes left in stock, said pets were her ‘passion’.
Jane, who lives in Clayton-le-Moors, said: “I’ve enjoyed being part of the store for the last ten years but it has come to a point where I have to stop.
“I’m not prepared to put any more money into the business and it’s too much work for one person.
“My customers have been amazing and a lot have come back time and time again but that’s just not enough these days.
“I used to be able to employ a small number of staff, including my husband John, but I can’t anymore.
“I’ve been selling off my stock and I hope to get everything sold by the last opening day. I know that’s not very realistic but I can only try.
“The bills that I have to pay have been going up and up every year and I can’t manage the business anymore.
“I don’t really know what will happen to the rest of the stock if I don’t sell them but I will think of something.”
Ribble Valley councillor Ged Mirfin, who is a regular at the shop, said: “It’s a real shame that Pendle Pets is closing down because it’s very close to my heart.
“I come in a lot with my kids to buy things for our pets and it won’t be the same when it’s gone.
“It’s an example of how hard it is for small businesses these days to stay afloat when they come up against big companies.”