Pets at Home is closing its Knutsford store in Cheshire on Saturday, June 14, after failing to agree satisfactory terms on a new lease with the landlord of its Canute Place premises.  

Jason Hunter, area manager for Pets at Home, said: “The decision was certainly not made lightly but the new terms proposed by the landlord at the end of the current lease were not acceptable and have made it impossible for us to continue trading in the property.

"It is therefore with regret that we have to close the Knutsford store next month and would ask our loyal customers to continue to shop with us in nearby stores.”

Colleagues from the store are being offered alternative roles at nearby Pets at Home stores.

Pets at Home said it remained as committed as ever to providing a fantastic level of service to local pet owners and was offering customers at the Knutsford store a voucher for 20% off their next purchase at other nearby stores in Northwich, Baguley, Stockport and Altrincham until July 31. Vouchers will be available from today (Thursday) until the store closes.

The landlord of the Canute Place premises, Monckton Properties, told the Knutsford Guardian it was sorry to see Pets at Home leave the building.

A spokesman said: “We are always sorry to lose any tenant and are especially pleased that Pets at Home are able to offer both staff and customers to a number of local shops.

"We would add Pets at Home demanded a rent reduction over five years on a 'take-it-or-leave it' basis, which unfortunately left no opportunity to agree a renewal with them.

"Monckton Properties Ltd and the Tatton Estate are delighted to see Knutsford and Cheshire prosper after the difficult times of recent years and look forward to helping old and new businesses here go from strength to strength.”