Dog grooming business expands

A dog grooming business has expanded by opening a new salon in the heart of Oakengates town centre.

Doggy Pals Grooming Parlour, which first opened in Wellington two years ago, has now launched a sister salon in a newly-refurbished unit in Limes Walk as the transformation of Oakengates town centre continues.

The salon, called ‘The Fluff Bar’, will create three new full-time jobs and enables the business to support and pamper more dogs and their families across a wider area in Telford and Wrekin.

Services at the Fluff Bar will include full dog grooms (haircuts, nail trimming and ear cleaning), bath and blow drying with premium shampoos and de-shedding treatments.

The premises is one of the shops which has been transformed as part of the Oakengates Theatre Quarter project. Through the project, dated shop frontages and retail units have been transformed to improve the overall appearance of the town centre and new apartments above the retail units are fully occupied.

In addition, some properties have been demolished to make way for a large public realm area which when completed, will include a new pedestrianised zone, square and public spaces which connect Limes Walk and Market Street.

The Theatre Quarter project has opened up the rest of Oakengates town, linking this area with Market Street where many other businesses and services are based, and will make it a focal point for live events and an enhanced market.

Councillor Ollie Vickers, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for jobs, transport and digital connectivity, said: “The Fluff Bar is a growing business and will bring something completely unique to Oakengates which we hope will attract many dog lovers and increase footfall to the town centre." 

Owners of Doggy Pals Grooming Parlour and The Fluff Bar Matthew and Emily Parry said: “Thanks to the unbelievable support from our wonderful customers and the Council, our Wellington salon has grown beyond anything we could have imagined and it has now opened the door for something truly special.

“We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve expanded to Oakengates with our new sister salon The Fluff Bar which is now open in addition to Doggy Pals Grooming Parlour.

“This opening gives us an opportunity to be able to pamper and support even more dogs and their families within a wider area and we are excited to have a base in the centre of Oakengates and be part of the town centre’s regeneration.

“This next chapter isn’t just about growing our brand, it’s about the ability to grow our amazing team too. Our expansion creates fantastic new opportunities for our talented groomers, trainees, and future team leaders who want to build a career in a supportive, creative, and evolving environment.

“We’re passionate about developing our team just as much as we’re passionate about caring for the dogs who walk through our doors."

Pictured: Matt and Emily Parry outside The Fluff Bar with Councillor Ollie Vickers (right)