Wotton Pet Shop is proud to be celebrating an incredible milestone this year – 50 years of serving pets and their owners from Wotton-under-Edge and the surrounding villages. We’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to all our loyal customers for your support over the decades – we couldn’t have done it without you!
The story of Wotton Pet Shop begins back in 1974, when John and Peggy Reeves first opened the doors at 5 High Street. Five years later, our parents John and Beryl Gowers took over the reins, turning the business into a true family venture. Many locals will fondly remember those early years, when Dad, John, ran a traditional fishmongers on one side of the shop while Mum, Beryl, looked after the pets on the other. Quite the career change from being a bank manager and secretary!
As times changed and supermarkets began selling fresh fish, the decision was made to close the fish side and expand the pet business – a move that proved the perfect fit for the community. In 1999, the next generation stepped in, with John and Cherrida Dooley continuing the family tradition. Sadly, since John suffered a serious stroke last year it is now Cherrida who you’ll most often find in the shop, always ready to share her knowledge and advice built on 35 years in the pet trade, including over two decades training pet retailers across the South in animal nutrition.
Of course, no trip to Wotton Pet Shop would be complete without meeting the “staff pets”! Tigger, our excitable Cocker Spaniel, is the unofficial shop greeter, while Honey and Pumpkin – affectionately known as Smooth and Fluffy – can usually be spotted sunbathing in the windows.
Our shop itself is part of Wotton’s history too. The beautiful Grade II listed building opposite the Tolsey Clock dates back to around 1670, when it was originally the Lord Berkeley Inn. Today, it’s filled with everything your pets could need – from nutritious foods and natural treats to cosy beds, toys, accessories, and more. We proudly stock trusted brands like Royal Canin, James Wellbeloved, Burns, Forthglade, Harringtons, and Natures Menu Frozen Raw, alongside competitively priced wild bird feeds and feeders.
If we don’t already have what you’re looking for, we’re always happy to order it in, with deliveries arriving weekly.
To mark our golden anniversary, we’ll be celebrating all through November with special offers – starting Saturday 1st November with 10% off all purchases and free goody bags for customers.
Here’s to the next 50 years – and thank you again for supporting your local, family-run pet shop!