Alloa pet shop new boss talks changes and exciting additions

Paul Neil, 61, bought the business from owner Tony Vines who spent 28 years in charge, back in July.

Although he loves animals, his career background is in a totally different sector. Paul explained his journey up to this point.

From Glasgow, he spent the last 40 years as a construction professional but decided he wanted a change. He explained: “I was kind of at the end of my construction career; I had been Senior Manager at a Director level for 15 to 20 years.

“During lockdown, I was made redundant, and I ended up doing my own consultancy for a couple of years, working with smaller developers on smaller retail conversions.

Pets Direct have been getting into the festive spirit! (Image: Pets Direct)

“I found an appetite for working from home, with a better work-life balance and also being my own boss.

“I wanted to do something different.

“I have always had a love for animals. Initially I was looking at kennels and my wife just happened to come across the fact Tony was looking to move on.”

Although it is business as usual for the pet store, Paul explained the changes and additions he has made and plans to make. He said: “We have been trying to move the business forward.

“We are in the process of remodelling the shop to create a back storage area and a back office.

“Lastly, we are introducing freezers into the shop, to do a couple of lines of raw dog and cat food.

“I am trying to create a pet supply business like Lidls or Aldis, somewhere with good quality but also great prices.”

When Paul started in July, he was effectively in a shadowing role, learning on the job as Tony stayed on with him until September.

One of the changes to the shop are the new freezers. (Image: Pets Direct)

He discussed what the benefits were for him having Tony alongside him when he was starting out. He said: “He built the business up so had a lot of good will and regular customers.

“It helped me get introduced to the customers.”

Paul explained how great the customers have been with him. He said: “The reception has been very positive.

“They were very happy to see that the business was going to continue, and that they were not going to lose out.

“They probably saw a bit of staleness about the shop and seem to be quite excited about the changes we are going to make.”

It has been a right passing of the baton, as Paul takes Pets Direct into this new era.