Ayr pet shop saved from closure

Dec 4 2009 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AN AYR pet shop has survived a company cull of stores.

Staff at the Acorn Pet Centre are celebrating after learning that the Newmarket Street branch will not be closed.

The five-strong team were given the good news in a phone call from their new boss earlier this month.

Acorn went into administration in September, resulting in over 70 redundancies and the closure of 11 stores.

The blow came just months after being named Scottish retailer of the year by Property Week magazine.

Ten weeks later, the firm was purchased for an undisclosed sum by former managing director Douglas Mutter.

He received equity backing from three anonymous businessmen.

And a deal to secure 153 jobs in 24 stores nationwide was struck with administrators last week.

Mr Mutter said: “In 25 years we built Acorn Pet Centres into one of the UK’s leading pet retail chains.

“We have exciting plans to develop the company, including hopefully recruiting additional staff throughout Scotland in due course as we grow the business.

“Staff at the Ayr store were absolutely delighted to hear that their jobs are safe and they’re looking forward to welcoming their customers on the run up to the busy Christmas period.”