Pet Shop of the Year for the North East award delight for Tom and team
An independent retailer that has a store in Berwick, was named Pet Shop of the Year for the North East at this year’s My Local Awards.
The accolade was was decided entirely by public vote, with customers across the region choosing Direct Pets as their winner.
The business operates two stores – located at the Ramparts Business Park in Berwick and Team Valley in Gateshead – employs 22 people and serves more than 15,000 customer households each year.
Founded in 2012, Direct Pets began life as a small pop-up shop created during a difficult period for an existing online pet supplies business.
What started as a short-term experiment has grown into one of the North East’s most respected independent pet retailers.
Direct Pets is known for its knowledgeable team, customer service, puppy socials, community events, dog walks, Christmas pet grotto and commitment to helping pet owners make informed choices.
Founder Tom Woodcock said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this award because it was decided by customers.
“From day one our goal was simple – create a place where people enjoy visiting, receive honest advice and leave happier than when they arrived.”
Although the two stores are carrying around 4,000 product lines, Direct Pets has a clear directive to maintain its original focus on community, advice, relationships and customer service.
Staff are encouraged to prioritise these things over sales targets.