A Knaresborough pet store will close at the end of next month and go mobile after seeing a decline in footfall.
Jack and Carly Atkinson, owners of The Atkinson Pet Store, said they were disappointed to be closing so soon after opening in August.
The pair felt they had found a missing niche on the town’s High Street when the business opened. However, months of lockdown have taken their toll.
Mr Atkinson said the number of shoppers had fallen and many customers remained hesitant to go out.
The pair hope going mobile will mean they can still provide the same service while saving money on overheads. They said they had a regular customer base that is keen to continue supporting them.
The shop will close on June 30 and the owners hope to be operating on a mobile basis soon after.
The business will rebrand as Let’s Play FETCH and the Atkinsons will be going on the road in their van delivering food, toys and accessories.
People will be able order via a new website or via a Facebook page.
Mr Atkinson said:
“We are disappointed because we thought it would last for years to come. We have provided a service to the people of Knaresborough for a year so we want to continue that. We just needed a bit more.
“Footfall was down and people’s shopping habits have changed. We’ve had to take it with a pinch of salt.”
Mr Atkinson added he and his wife will continue offering a personal service but they will operate at customers’ front doors rather than behind a till.
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