Mimi's Doggy Dates, a pet care business based near Romsey, Hampshire, has received a £750 business incentive grant from Test Valley Borough Council.

The owner, Emilia Williams-Landazuri, has a passion for providing top-quality care for dogs, offering services such as dog walking, pet sitting, and grooming. She studied animal management at college and has always wanted to work with animals. After spending some time working in sales, she left to work in her sister-in-law’s dog sitting business, which inspired her to set up her own business.

Emilia’s new business is thriving, and she has gained repeat and new customers through word of mouth. She picks up the dogs in her van, which currently has crates that can be fiddly to clean. She hopes to use the grant to create a more permanent and efficient crating system in her van.

Emilia said: "I’m very happy to have received a grant from the council. It gives me the opportunity to enhance my services and buy better crates for transporting the dogs.”

Romsey Tadburn Ward Councillor John Parker, said: "Supporting local businesses like Mimi's Doggy Dates is important for the growth of our community. It is great to see Emilia successfully get established in the Romsey area and we wish her all the best in her new venture."

Test Valley Borough Council is committed to supporting local businesses through various initiatives and grants. The Business Incentive Grant is designed to help new businesses located in Test Valley achieve their goals and contribute to the local economy. You must apply for the grant within eight weeks of starting to trade, and the Council will award the money once you have been up and running for six months.