A dog care business isfinally to be rehomed – nearly a year after falling victim of council planning rules.
Elgin-based Doolittle Doggy Day Care has been forced out of its Lossie Wynd accommodation because the premises upstairs is now earmarked for flats.
Sisters Meg Grant and Esther Riddell feared closing after being told to abandon the canine centre due to planning regulations.
Moray doggy daycare business searching for new home gets month extension
The duo were then repeatedly thwarted by red tape as they scoured the town for a replacement venue.
But now they are aiming to expand after securing new premises in the Pinefield Industrial Estate.
Mrs Riddell said: “Funnily enough it’s a place that we were looking at when we set up the business originally.
“The owner has recently bought it and once we’ve done a few little things to make it more homely for the animals we’ll move in next month.
“Happy isn’t really the word. We’ve been looking for a long time, eight months or maybe longer. It’s a big relief to know that we have somewhere now.”
Supporters rallied to Mrs Grant and Mrs Riddell’s cause when they heard the business may have to close its doors for good. Fundraising campaigns collected thousands of pounds for their cause.
The sisters ploughed their savings into the enterprise after transforming the dilapidated town centre building into a dog-friendly haven.
About a dozen animals can stay in the firm’s Lossie Wynd home at the moment.
However, once settled into their new accommodation the sisters are hoping to expand that to about 18 pets – opening up the potential for more staff joining the blossoming venture.
The former home of an engineering and plumbing firm has lain empty for several years but will soon be filled with the sound of barking.
Mrs Riddell added: “It’s lovely. There’s a nice big yard out of the back where the dogs will be able to run around in.
“We have a waiting list at the moment so we always knew there was the demand to expand.”
