Pampered Pooch Salon Opens in Rochdale

Date published: 29 April 2004

Lindsey Travis from Shawclough has always loved dogs. Apart from having several rescue dogs in her home, she worked for many years as a kennel maid in Rochdale.

After much encouragement from her Dad, who thought she was putting in too many hours with little reward, she took dog grooming classes with a view to working at a salon. She did work at salons, but hankered after having her own place where she could do things her way. She was unhappy at some of the harsher methods used in other places, and wanted her clients’ animals to be uncaged and free to settle prior to their appointments.

Her dream is now a reality after she and her husband invested in what was a run-down shop on the Landings, on Oldham Road opposite Matalan. The place was in a terrible state but Lindsey soon got the place spruced up and secured an inner Rochdale business support grant for animal dryers and money from the Council to improve security. This came at a price though and it was whilst she was struggling to wade through the mountains of paperwork required to obtain such funding, that she discovered the Women into Enterprise initiative.

Lindsey admits, "at times setting up a business felt harder than having a baby. If it hadn’t been for the Women into Enterprise scheme, I would have given up ages ago."

She now has a good client list, with most of her business coming through "word of mouth." Her salon, whilst primarily offering grooming services also sells exquisite designer outfits, bedding, her own label show leads and those for every day use - in fact everything the best dressed pooch could need. She is very happy with the outcome of all her hard work and is planning to expand, offering an exercise suite for her clients’ pets, working in conjunction with local vets.

To call Lindsey, telephone Pampered Pooch on 01706 650006.