Pets & Friends Heanor - Heanor

The Autistic Driver

I've been frequenting this store chain (formerly Kennelgate) for years, at several locations. This branch feels like it could be a hidden gem; there are a couple of things that would improve it.

The staff are always bright, cheery, and helpful. Almost every time I've visited, I've been greeted by a happy "Hello". Even when there haven't been staff on the shop floor, they have made the effort to call out a greeting while on their way to the shop floor. The staff know their shop, where the products are, and are happy to answer questions on the items they stock.

The shelves are kept well stocked and generally neat. The freezers are kept organised, look clean, and are well stocked. There is a very wide range of frozen dog foods. They also stock other frozen animal foods (such as frozen mice and chicks), but these are not kept in the shop area, so you will need to ask for them. I am thinking this is a space issue, as other branches I've visited had these in shop floor freezers. I do think they could make it clearer that these additional frozen foods are available on request. They do, however, make good use of the space that is available.

This branch does suffer a little from the building it is in. With high ceilings, low power lights set high up, and a concrete floor, it feels like walking into a (quite dark) warehouse. There isn't a great deal that can be done about this, although tiling the floor would help, and having drop lighting, or a false ceiling installed would help make it feel more like a shop than a warehouse. BUT, it is worth looking past this, because the shopping experience is far more important than these minor aesthetic issues.

Since the rebranding to "Pets & Friends", the store front looks better. I'm not overly keen on the new name, but that is probably more about me being used to the old Kennelgate name. They do put the name to good use at the entrance, where there is a sign informing customers that the store welcomes all pets & friends. It's good to see a pet store that allows people to bring their pet(s) in. I've always enjoyed seeing people bring their dog into a pet shop, and let him/her pick out a new toy from the shelf.

Vape Daily

Went in today with my bulldog had a great selection of raw and non raw products lovely staff will come again 👍

June

Amazing friendly staff, very helpful and knowledgeable

Loved shopping their

Stephen Martin

Staff are always friendly and a good selection of dog treats.

Dorla Tognaz

Love this shop. Never heard of this chain before we moved here. My assistance dog made himself at home last visit. He loves picking his treats and his new little sister does too. Everything is top quality and the staff are all amazing, polite, friendly, full of knowledge. Far far better than other well known pet store chain!!!

John McLaughlin

Dropped in after being recommended for some treats for my dogs. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Will be going again.

Carol Parkin

Always a warm welcome here and a great choice of products. Pets welcome inside or they will come out to your car to help with collar fitting for example. Would miss this local shop if it closed.

George Pipes

Brill friendly lady good quality pet. good reasonable prices