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Jul 2020

Knaresborough

Knaresborough sees new pet shop open despite pandemic

Published: 16 Jul 2020, 06:00 BST

by Suzannah Rogerson

The Atkinson Pet Store will open on the high street on August 1. The shop's owners have found a niche in the town and say covid hasn't affected their plans.

Amidst a pandemic, a couple from Knaresborough has managed to set up their new pet shop on the high street in two weeks.

Jack and Carly Atkinson plan to open their shop on August 1. They say that the pandemic hasn't limited their plans as they would have been classed as an essential shop before lockdown eases.

The Atkinsons believes they have found a niche that is missing in the town as currently people have to travel to Harrogate and Ripon to get their pet supplies.

In just two weeks Jack handed his notice in at another pet shop, rented the premises and began to order stock.

Jack Atkinson said:

"Its one of the businesses where it's always going to do well because people will always have pets that need feeding. I handed in my notice at another pet shop last week so I could set this up. We're still on track even with covid, there may be an impact when we open because we will have to restrict the number of people in at a time. We're setting up in a time when everyone wants us to be here, a lot of people can't or don't want to travel to get their supplies."

Knaresborough exotic rescue sees the number of animals surrendered to them double over lockdown.

Knaresborough delivers scheme has put £50,000 into the local economy since it was set up during lockdown.

The Atkinson Pet Shop will join Knaresborough's high street as local organisations are encouraging residents to support smaller, local businesses. Carly Atkinson added:

"We've still been getting the stock so the pandemic hasn't really put a halt to anything, everything has come quite quickly. People are definitely happy we are bringing a pet shop to Knaresborough, a lot of people have said it's what the town needs. We're adding to the high street too, round here especially people want to support local businesses which is great for us. We've just got to think ahead of what could perhaps stop people coming in to store.

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Knaresborough sees new pet shop open despite pandemic

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