Essex

This coverage reports on petcare industry news and business developments in Essex, serving professionals across the county’s retail, wholesale, and supply chain sectors. Pet Gazette covers independent pet shops, major retail chains, distributors, wholesalers, and logistics providers, offering insights into local market trends, store openings, regulatory updates, and commercial growth opportunities. From retail operations to distribution strategies, our Essex coverage helps pet trade professionals stay informed and competitive.

Oct- 2025 -

3 October

Retailers

Petpals Maldon owners win Great British Franchisee Award

A husband-and-wife team running a Petpals franchise in Essex have won a Great British Franchisee Award, one of the UK’s top honours for franchise businesses. Bev and Phil Haydon, who own Petpals Chelmsford, Maldon and Danbury, were recognised for staff retention, customer service and community involvement. The award follows their…
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Nov- 2024 -

1 November

Veterinary

RVC appoints director of General Practice

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has announced the appointment of Dr Katharine Nelson as its first director of General Practice. Dr Nelson will take up the position later this year, in which she will lead the RVC’s new General Practice (GP) division. The new division will further develop RVC’s general…
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Dec- 2022 -

7 December

Retailers

Jollyes reports record HY sales

Pet retailer Jollyes has reported record sales of £53m, up 23% YOY, during the first half of the year ending 27 November 2022. This follows the company reporting annual sales of £87m in the full year to May 2022. The company attributed the rise down to a mix of higher…
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Feb- 2021 -

22 February

Charities

Petplan donates £1,000 to Barley Greyhound Sanctuary

Petplan has awarded its £1,000 charity cheque for January 2021 to the Barley Greyhound Sanctuary in Essex. Barley is also a lifelong sanctuary for greyhounds that can’t be homed for any reason. When greyhounds arrive at the sanctuary, they are assessed by the team, who will neuter and care for…
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Oct- 2020 -

30 October

Industry News

OATA names Dr Matthew Bond new scientific and technical adviser.

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Organisation (OATA), has appointed Dr Matthew Bond as the new scientific and technical adviser, to help the organisation in its work in representing the interests of the ornamental aquatic industry. He joins the trade association from the University of Essex where he lectured in marine biology. He…
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15 October

Coronavirus

London to move to Tier 2

London and Essex will face tougher Tier 2 Covid-19 restrictions from Saturday (17 October), including a ban on the mixing of households, local MPs have been told. According to the BBC, health secretary Matt Hancock is set to update MPs on the latest measures in the Commons later today. Under…
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Sep- 2020 -

14 September

Retailers

Puppy boutique start-up opens its doors

Pup Chic Boutique has opened its doors for business, offering a selection of dog accessories as well as matching human apparel. The Essex-based business first began in lockdown, when founder Samantha Henry was inspired to start the shop after struggling to find collars and harnesses that would fit her toy…
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Aug- 2020 -

10 August

Veterinary

Linnaeus expands amid continued investment

Veterinary group Linnaeus has expanded its number of sites to 169, having formed just six years ago from a single location. Linnaeus, which is based in Friars Gate, Solihull, recently acquired four new practices during the Coronavirus pandemic and despite lockdown. Its portfolio now includes 12 referral centres and 44…
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Jul- 2020 -

16 July

Veterinary

Vets learn sign language for deaf clients

Southfields Veterinary Specialists announced it is training its team members in sign language and introducing see-through face masks in a bid to continue communication with deaf clients. The Essex-based referral centre has introduced the new measures after leading deaf charities warned that the growing use of face coverings, which are…
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May- 2020 -

11 May

Coronavirus

Pets Corner reopens further 12 garden centre sites in UK

Pets Corner has reopened a further 12 sites in garden centres across the UK amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Following discussions with landlords, Pets Corner has announced the reopening of its sites in Braintree Garden Centre, Crawley Garden Centre, Longacres, Melbicks, Palmers and Warerslide, alongside six Dobbies Garden Centres in Essex,…
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