An independent pet shop has won its battle for survival following mounting financial pressures…and it’s all down to the support of loyal customers.

Little Beasties in Ulverston, Cumbria, celebrated its 20th birthday recently and invited the local community to celebrate at a special anniversary party.

Owner Mandy Christopher said that more than 150 people attended the event, which was held as a ‘thank you’ for their support.

As reported in Pet Trade Xtra a year ago, Mandy wrote on the shop’s Facebook page: “At the moment I can’t see Little Beasties reaching its 20-year anniversary. We've had many ups and downs over the years but the last couple of years have been the hardest yet financially. It’s getting extremely hard to make ends meet and its now got to the point where I’m not able to take a wage.

“We are determined to keep Little Beasties going and I want to keep my amazing team together, but we can’t do it without the help and support of our customers old and new.”

Mandy said that increased costs, including licence fees, insurance, utilities, wages, phone/Internet, delivery costs and vet fees, had put a strain on the business. She also cited changing buying habits, especially online shopping, as having an effect on the shop’s finances.

She urged customers to keep shopping with Little Beasties, ‘even if it’s a 50p dog treat’, and to make use of the store’s delivery service.

Her emotional plea to customers on social media, asking for their support, worked and enabled Little Beasties to stay open…and mark its 20-year anniversary.

To celebrate, the shop hired a local café and invited all its supporters to join them.

Following the party Mandy wrote on Facebook: “I had quite a few people ask why I wasn’t charging entry, or charging for the cakes, face painting etc and the reason was: I wanted to do it as a THANK YOU!

“It was my way of thanking everyone for everything you do for me. I spent the last 12 months saving up so I could do it, and I’m so happy I did. I really cannot thank everyone enough for your continued support. Without you, we wouldn’t have made it to 20 years!

“It truly means the world to us to still be here after two decades, doing something we love and being part of such a wonderful community. Things are hard for many businesses, and have been for a long time, but moments like this really remind us why we do it and make the hard times a bit easier.”

Pictures taken from Little Beasties’ Facebook page