A DOG accessory shop in Bradford on Avon is on the verge of a major expansion, which will see it become a dog grooming salon, shop and café.

Wiltshire Council approved the planning application submitted by Ruth Warren, owner of Fetch in The Shambles, and The Doghouse will open on July 1.

Work is currently under way on transforming Kingston Mills, which has been derelict for 22 years ever since the closure of Avon Rubber, with one half to become a dog grooming area and the other a shop and café, where dog owners can enjoy a cup of proper coffee as they wait for their pets to be pampered.

Mrs Warren, of South Wraxall, said: “We are relocating, relaunching and rebranding to morph into a new business and we're very excited.

“Fetch has become a very well established shop in the town over the past nine years with customers coming from as far as Swindon, which really humbles me, and hopefully our success will continue into the new venture.

“For a long time we’ve been saying we wanted to expand and as soon as I came across the beautiful Kingston Mills building I knew it was perfect for what we wanted to do."

As well as significantly expanding the premises, the development will also create new jobs, with three new members of staff joining the company.

One dog groomer has been employed but Mrs Warren is on the lookout for one more to work on the second grooming table, and would like to hear from people who are interested.

The adjoining café will sell proper coffee and a range of cakes and ice cream, including special ice cream for dogs to enjoy once they have been groomed.

“It’s a brave move at a time when shops are closing up and down the country but this is a service that can’t be replicated on the internet and I don’t feel threatened by it," added Mrs Warren, whose dog Sparkie is the “star of the shop”.

“There will always be people who understand the value of going to a shop and I look forward to welcoming old and new customers when we open.”

Dom Newton, leader of Ideal Bradford, which now has control of the town, said: “Ideal Bradford welcomes and will seek to promote sustainable economic activity in the town.

“This application retains commercial space as commercial space, which is in keeping with aims of the Neighbourhood Plan, and our own manifesto.

“Plans to bring this building back into viable, commercial use are welcomed.”