A doggy day care centre is to celebrate a year in business despite the owner being told he was ‘mad’ to open in a pandemic.

Just Pawing Around Doggy Day Care in Feniscowles opened on July 28 and one year on, owner Paul Room is amazed how successful the business has been.

Paul, 54, said: “We’ve just gone from strength to strength. People said we were mad to open in a pandemic but it’s gone really well.

“We’ve got a fantastic customer base. We are near enough full every day and I have taken three staff members on.

“If dogs could smile, they would smile when they see the staff coming in.

“The staff treat the dogs like they are their own.”

Paul set up a dog grooming business in 2017 after a 35-year career in the building trade.

After passing his exams, Paul opened the shop and employed two members of staff, Jodie and Sol, to the grooming business.

Paul had been looking to open the doggy day care business before the start of the pandemic however due to complications in the initial stages of his planning application, he was unable to.

After planning permission was passed, he decided to open the business despite concerns raised by people that the business may not take off if people were working from home.

Paul added: “In February I decided to go for it and then the pandemic hit in March and I thought I am going to keep going.

“Everyone thought I was crazy but luckily for us it’s done well.”