A DOG grooming business in Newton-le-Willows has been nominated for the Business of the Year award.
Arkadia Dog Grooming and Pet Services is one of the finalists for the award.
The business set up just five weeks before the initial lockdown, however, the dog grooming salon is now preparing to possibly bag the award.
Rebecca Vowles, her sister Catherine Vowles, and their friend Beth Rimmer are co-owners of the business.
Rebecca said: "It’s been an absolute rollercoaster; we really didn’t expect it. It’s just all very exciting and we really didn’t expect to be nominated.
"There are a lot of other established groomers in Newton, so it was a lovely surprise."
Rebecca and her sister Catherine met Beth through their previous job and later decided to set up their own business as a trio.
The 28-year-old added: "It got to the point where we were like you know what, let’s do it; let’s go and see if there’s any properties in Newton.’
"We did try it first to do other different things other than grooming. We tried to provide day care services but since lockdown and with the influx of people getting dogs, dog grooming has really taken off and consumes all our time at the minute.
"There are plans in the future to try to expand the business with little ventures including dog walking."
The trio carry a portfolio of qualifications and experiences benefitting the business, including Rebecca’s degree in Animal Behaviour, Catherine’s diploma in Animal Behaviour, and Beth with over 10 years’ worth of grooming experience.
The dog groomers are heading to Manchester on Sunday, September 18 for the awards ceremony.
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