A Hertfordshire pet shop is celebrating 30 years in business.
The Fin & Fur team celebrated at the shop in Bishops Stortford with free goody bags, discounts on dog and cat foods, treats, toys and beds. There were also two kinds of cake – for customers AND their canine companions!
The Bishop’s Stortford Independent reported that Karen Cooper is now in charge of the family business, founded by her parents, Denis and Christina Westbrook, in 1972, when they bought the Fin n Fur shop in Hockerill Street (now a café).
Aged 13, Karen became their Saturday girl from 1974 and bought out her parents in 1986. Three years later she moved the shop to its current base, next to Sainsbury’s supermarket.
APPEAL
Karen and her team have paid tribute to former staff member Sue Salmon. She started work in 1994 and left in 2015. She died earlier this year after contracting breast cancer and an in-store competition helped generate £138 for the Susy’s Green Army fundraising appeal set up by her family and friends for Breast Cancer Care.
Both of Karen’s sons, Matthew and Daniel Fuller, have worked for Fin & Fur along with her husband and delivery driver Ian.
Dan joined his mum full-time in 2009, according to the Independent, and works in the warehouse the family opened in 2016 at the Peek Business Centre to expand the online and delivery operation.
Karen attributed the business growth to ‘extensive nutritional knowledge product knowledge compassion and caring for people and their pets’ needs’.
“We offer a bespoke tailored service to our customers, supplying them with goods they need, not what they don’t need,” she said. “We are referred to as more than a pet store offering help and advice and support in all walks of life. Our customers are our extended family.”
