Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Dabners Pet Shop in Croydon, originally set to close this summer, has announced it is “not going anywhere” and will continue serving local pet owners.
Since its first opening in 1959, Dabners Pet Shop, which is situated at 26–27 Surrey Street next to the Surrey Street Market, has catered to countless animal lovers, families, and devoted patrons from all across the borough.
The store declared in July that it would be permanently closing on August 16 “with great sadness.”
The Croydon store declared in July that it would be permanently closing on August 16 “with great sadness.”
Although the owner thanked hundreds of clients for their support and devotion, they had to close because of mounting prices, which the current administration made “particularly bad.”
They also pointed the finger at the dramatic rise in theft, which prevented the family-run company from surviving.
The owners, however, have declared that they intend to remain in place after successfully “weathering the storm” and that the public’s support enabled them to persevere.
A statement on the Dabners website says:
“Your Premier Pet Shop is here to Stay.
Serving Croydon’s Pets & People for over 50 years and we’re not going anywhere.
Your support keeps us fighting strong.”
What factors contributed to Dabners’ quick change from closure to survival?
The shop’s building was acquired by new owners who decided to keep Dabners operational as a pet supplies store, preventing its closure. Dabners was a well-loved local business with strong community ties, which likely motivated efforts to save it and maintain its presence on Surrey Street.
The shop had been facing issues such as rising rates, competition from online retailers, and shoplifting, but the new ownership’s commitment implies a willingness to invest and tackle these problems differently.
Two of the four existing staff accepted offers to stay, providing continuity and experience that support ongoing operations. Plans to modernize the shop, including increased social media engagement and restocking, suggest a strategic pivot to re-energize the business and attract customers.