Stoke-on-Trent dog grooming salon in major expansion as it moves …
A popular dog grooming service is moving ahead of a push into the pet retail market. AnimalStylists is moving from its current location in London Road, Oakhill, to the former unit occupied by Lavenders Grey Florist, in Westbury Park.
The business is run by 43-year-old Steph Padley, who has run it since 2010, when it started in Trent Vale. She runs the business herself, occasionally with the help of her 19-year-old son, Sean.
She wants to move the business as part of a strategy to introduce retail sales. However, she has reassured customers that the dog grooming side of the business will still be carrying on.
Steph said: “I have been grooming since 2010. We do any breed, except larger dogs. I do cats and dogs. We do all styles and we grew the business in Oakhill.
“We offer the full grooming package, such as nail grooming, styling and baths. You get some dogs that don’t need the style, like labradors. They come in and get a good de-shed, where we remove all the dead skin and dead hair.
“There are a couple of things really – I looked on Westbury Park for a long time and you don’t really get many shops becoming available in that area. I live there, so it’s five minutes from mine and it’s nice to be working in the community that I live in.
“I’ve been here in Oakhill for 11-and-a-half years and I feel now is the right time for a change. I’m around there all the time, I’m out and about all the time. It’s just nice to be in that community.”
She said the process to start the rennovations ahead of the opening later this month were well underway. She is excited to get going in the new location, which she hopes to open on September 18.
Steph added: “I’ve had it all decorated; we’ve got new flooring and new lights put down. We’re changing the look. We’re offering natural treats trying to accommodate all pets. We’re trying to stock treats that will target any dog so for example the gluten-free and low-fat stuff. We’re just trying to reach every area.
“The grooming is still our primary job and the primary role for the business. It is the retail side I am trying to grow. I am hoping that the footfall will increase compared to where I am now. I don’t get much of the footfall in Oakhill.
“I am excited apprehensive and a mixture of everything because I have been here for so long. The majority of my customers are following me.”
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