A Plymouth-based pet store company has shut all its branches blaming economic turmoil and mounting inflation.
The Ark Pet Centres today posted on social media that it had shut its outlets in Transit Way, Plymtock Broadway, as well as in Exeter and Paignton.
Last year it closed its Pet Express outlet in Union Street and the Mad About Paws store at Roborough.
Today, The Ark Pet Centres thanked staff and customers and said it had to make the “heartbreaking” decision to close the stores.
The business said: “It is with huge regret and sadness that we announce that after 30 years of trading, we will be shutting our doors for good as of today (April 23). This affects all stores.
“Whilst we have all worked incredibly hard to weather the economic storm, we can no longer sustain the increasing pressure and huge rising costs, and with more increases on the horizon, we have had to make the heartbreaking decision to cease trading.”
The social media statement continued: “We would like to thank our wonderful team who have worked hard to make The Ark what it was – and we truly wish them all the very best for the future.
“To our loyal customers – thank you, we appreciate you and we truly will miss serving you and your pets.
“We never set out to be a pet shop, we wanted to be a place where local people could get help and advice on pet care from people they trusted, and we’re proud to have done that for the last 30 years.
“We have loved every minute of this from day one, thank you for being part of our journey.”
The announcement was met with sadness on social media with Yvonne Elston posting: “This is so sad, we love the Transit Way shop, we wish everyone luck for the future. A lovely shop and staff.”
Mary Chapman said her dog Luna would be “devastated” and added: “Thanks to all the staff at Transit Way.”
Gemma-Louise Colley wrote: “This is such sad news. I absolutely love going into your Transit Way store. Over the years we have had several pets from you.”
PlymouthLive has contacted owners of The Ark Pet Centres for further comment and is awaiting a response.
The company The Ark Pet Centre (Plymouth) Ltd, set up in 1997, had net assets of £210,000 and retained earnings of £180,000, according to its most recent set of published accounts, for the year to the end of September 2024.
The document, filed at Companies House, said the firm employed 55 people.
The Pet Express store in Union Street which shut in 2025(Image: William Telford)
Last year sister company The Pet Express Ltd, which controlled the two Plymouth outlets that shut, went into liquidation with staff losing their jobs.
Emma Smith, a director of The Pet Express Ltd and The Ark Pet Centre (Plymouth) Ltd, last year told PlymouthLive she was saddened by the closures of the two Plymouth stores but finances meant it was unavoidable.
After The Pet Express Ltd went bust it left unpaid debts of more than £133,000, including an outstanding Covid loan of £13,000, £35,000 owed to unsecured staff and £37,000 owed to unsecured trade creditors.
The overall business was started in 1995 and grew to have nine outlets, including two in Exeter, two in Torbay and a warehouse in Plymouth. .
The stores were stringent about animal welfare and were members of the Pet Care Trust, Pet Industry Federation (PIF) and Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) .
All nine units were awarded the top score of five stars under the Animal Activities Licensing regulation, which assesses animal welfare in pet retailers.
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