Furry friends will be well catered for with Newport high street opening

Dogby & Friends offers a variety of pet products and treats and can now sell them from a permanent base in the town thanks to a business start-up grant through Telford & Wrekin Council’s Pride in Our High Street programme.

Owner Lyne Looker-Revell has been keen to set up her own full-time business for some time after seeing a surge in demand for her products and she has seized the opportunity to open the shop in a prime location on St Mary’s Street.

Previously, she trialled her goods by selling them through gift and craft stalls locally but she is now hoping the permanent base will give her business a real boost and become extremely popular with pet enthusiasts.

Dogby & Friends is now the only dedicated pet shop on the high street which sells a full range of pet products.

As part of her service, Lyne is offering free local deliveries to attract new local customers and will be promoting the new shop at events such as the Newport Show which is well attended by families attend with pets.

Lyne has researched the pet market locally and recognises the huge increase in people becoming dog owners nationally – with one in three households owning a dog.

Lyne said: “As a family-run business, the key to our shop’s success will be excellent customer service.

“We’ll take time to advise customers on what is right for their pets, offer a free local delivery service for those who are unable to carry their goods and provide free water and a complimentary treat for dogs that visit us.

“We’re excited to open in a great location in Newport and are very grateful for the start-up grant funding which has enabled us to do this.

“I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who has helped me to set up the shop including my family, local businesses and Telford & Wrekin Council. We are looking forward to meeting existing and new customers at our new shop.”

Dogby & Friends also plan to create a hub for animal information from the new base – hosting educational sessions and bringing in experts to talk about animal nutrition and behaviour.

Pride in Our high street business start-up grants provide funding to help businesses open in empty retails units on the high streets in Dawley, Madeley, Ironbridge, Oakengates, Wellington and Newport.

The grant is used to support business set-up costs such as building refurbishment, fixtures and fittings, utility connection costs and marketing and branding

Councillor Lee Carter (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for place (the economy & neighbourhood services) said: “Dogby & Friends is another fantastic addition to the high street in Newport.

“With lots of dog walkers in the area and animal lovers, we are sure that this high street business location will be the perfect platform for the business to grow and succeed.

“We are pleased to support Dogby & Friends with the business start-up grant and look forward to seeing them go from strength-to-strength in the future – attracting new customers and bringing more footfall to the town.”