A popular pet shop operating in Crewe for over two decades is set to shut down this April, with its "heartbroken" owner no longer able compete with rising costs.

Home and Pet Supplies, 169 Broad Street, will cease trading on Saturday 30 April, 22 years and seven months to the day since first launching at 165 Underwood Lane.

Owner, Karen Preece, 53, from Crewe, has not sold animals since 2018, but has kept the business going through its pet food and goods for reptiles, dogs, cats, furries, fish and wild birds.

Owner of Home and Pe Supplies, Karen Preece, has kept the business going through its pet food and goods for reptiles, dogs, cats, furries, fish and wild birds since 2018 (Ryan Parker).

Karen told Nub News: "I am sadly having to close Home and Pet Supplies because the price of anything is going up. I can't beat it anymore, despite all my efforts.

"I have done what I can but just can't compete with the cost of utilities, wages and everything put together to run this shop, especially with the internet as well.

"When I announced the shop would be closing on Facebook I went to the back of the shop and cried. I was absolutely gutted and heartbroken it has come to this.

"As a lifelong Crewe resident, I feel guilty I am letting my customers down. I like to call them friends really because that's what they are, supporting my business for so long.

"I would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported Home and Pet Supplies across the 22 years. I am really grateful."

Karen first opened Home and Pet Supplies with mum, Sue, on September 30, 2002, taking on the Underwood Lane shop currently occupied by Bluebells Florist.

Karen Preece first opened Home and Pet Supplies with mum, Sue, on September 30, 2002, taking on the Underwood Lane shop currently occupied by Bluebells Florist, the first of three locations (Ryan Parker).

Around five years later, Karen relocated to 167-169 Underwood Lane, getting the licence to sell pets, including reptiles and birds.

In August 2018, Karen gave the licence up when moving to her current, smaller Broad Street premises.

Karen said: "We are just winding everything down now and have some reduced reptile goods for sale.

"I have been telling my customers to buy their bugs from Cheshire Reptile Rescue because I know theirs are decent, that is the next best place to go.

"It is really hard to keep a pet shop business running in this current climate, your electric and water costs go up when there is no change in what you use.

"This decision certainly wasn't taken lightly, it is really hard to let this place go.

Karen Preece is encouraging customers to buy their bugs from Cheshire Reptile Rescue once Home and Pet Supplies has closed (Ryan Parker).

"The sociable side of this is one of the things I will miss the most. There are many older customers I have built a great bond with over the years.

"It have loved running Home and Pet Supplies, I am dreading my last day."

Home and Pet Supplies is currently open 10am to 4pm (Tuesday to Saturday) and 10am to 2pm (Sunday). Check out its Facebook page for updates before closing.

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