Beginner’s Guide on Starting a Pet Grooming Business in the United Kingdom

Animals can be so fun to be with all the time. If you have a keen interest in animals or just love pets in general, you may have thought of how lovely it is to have a job where you can be around these loving creatures all day. If so, then starting a pet grooming business in the United Kingdom may be the ideal venture for you. This business idea is definitely for innovative entrepreneurs who have a special connection with animals.

However, starting a business entails more than just having a business idea. You need to research, plan, strategize and work it to be profitable. If you’re worried about these concerns, we got you! Here is a guide on starting a pet grooming business in the United Kingdom, which explains the industry practice, business registration, licenses, and permits.

 

What Is a Pet Grooming Business

Starting a pet grooming business in the United Kingdom means being able to provide services like trimming, fur shaping, nail clipping, and more to animals while keeping them calm. To successfully start a pet grooming business, you need to have compassion for animals, stamina, a good eye for detail, and great customer service. It would also be advantageous if you have the training, certification, and experience in being a pet groomer. Additionally, you must have good administrative, marketing, and numbers skills to handle the other aspects of the business.

A pet grooming business can charge £20-£80 per treatment depending on the groomer’s qualifications and experience. The most common pet grooming services include nail trimming, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, odor removal, matted hair removal, cording, etc. Moreover, you may choose to specialize in grooming particular pets or breeds to attract a specific niche. The most common specialization in this line of business is dog grooming, as dogs are more high maintenance than other pets.

The pet industry took a turn upon the movement of humanizing pets- essentially making them a part of the family. The number of pet owners in the UK rose and increased the demand for pet pampering services. The Animal Welfare Act sets forth a code of practice on how to meet the needs of these animals. Under this act, pet grooming businesses are responsible for the welfare of the animals while under their care.

 

How to Start a Pet Grooming Business

Research

It is critical to first gather sufficient information about the local market, competition, and trends before you make any big decisions. You’d first like to find out what specific pet grooming business you’d want to start. To know this, learn what the pet owners in your area are looking for but is yet to be provided. Or, if you already have specific services you want to offer, study if you have a demand for them and if people will be willing to pay you for them. It is also important to better understand your target market early on so you can plan how to deliver customer satisfaction.

Decide What Services to Offer

Decide who you want to offer your services to. Once you already have a pick of a niche market, you’ll be able to narrow down the range of services you can offer. Plan the amount of time you spend on every service so you can estimate the number of sessions or clients you can take in a day. And before every session, make sure you’re in an understanding with the client about how they want their pets to look. This is to avoid complaints and provide high customer satisfaction every time.

Location

You have wide options for location when it comes to starting a pet grooming business in today’s time. With social media marketing strategies today, you can start a business in the comfort of your home. Or you can even start a mobile pet grooming salon where you can be closer to the market without steep renting costs. Of course, having a permanent location and an actual establishment is always advantageous because people will easily find you. Weigh the pros and cons of each based on your understanding of the market and customer behavior.

Advertising & Promotions

It is crucial for a starting entrepreneur to make sure that your target market knows about your business and the services you offer. You can employ the usual marketing strategies like going door-to-door, TV and radio announcements, and signages. You may also join established organizations like British Dog Groomers Association to add credibility to your business and boost customer interests. Further, you can also host or sponsor pet shows where pet owners can participate and get to know your business better.

 

How to Register a Pet Grooming Business in the UK

Business and company registration in the United Kingdom is fairly easy once you have the necessary requirements. Some of the information you need to prepare include company name, business address, email address, telephone number, and owner’s personal information. In choosing a company name, you can provide three options. And all of them should follow the guidelines for company names. Moreover, you may use your domicile address to register, but know that this information will be made available to the general public.

Suppose you plan on forming a limited company. You need to provide the personal details of directors and shareholders. Appointing at least one director is a requisite, as he will be the one in charge of running the business and in keeping accounts and paperwork. You may also need a corporate secretary, but it is not a requisite. Finally, there must be at least one shareholder or guarantor for the company.

Some of the important documents you need to prepare for your UK company registration are the articles and memorandum of association. The articles of association lay down the details of how you are going to run your company. Meanwhile, the memorandum of association is the document where all the shareholders or guarantors sign showing their consent to forming the limited company. There are readily available templates for these documents, which you can easily modify or customize.

Once you have this information and documents ready, you may go directly to the Companies House online registration platform. The process costs £12 and is processed within the next 24 hours. You also submit your application by post or have your United Kingdom corporate service provider process them on your behalf.

 

Licenses and Permits to a Pet Grooming Business in the UK

The law requires no particular license in order to start a pet grooming business in the United Kingdom. However, the business has to adhere to the various legislations covering commercial businesses and animal care activities in the UK. For example, you need to be extra familiar with the Animal Welfare Act. The act gives guidelines on your responsibilities to the animals under your care. There have been many cases of criminal prosecutions in the past relating to groomers’ negligence and cruelty, so learning the law is critical.

Moreover, you have to be careful about the potentially hazardous chemicals you use in cleaning or in grooming the animals. Awareness of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations will protect yourself and your staff. There are also many legislations protecting consumer rights. Some of these rulings cover fair trade, acceptable service quality, and price information.

You would also be responsible for the welfare of the employees, so you have to read over the employment legislation. Additionally, you have to ensure you comply with health and fire safety regulations. To secure yourself from bearing all these responsibilities, it is best to get your business insured.

 

Start a Pet Grooming Business With Full Compliance

Starting a pet grooming business in the United Kingdom is not as easy as some entrepreneurs make it out as. It takes innovation to gain a competitive advantage and action to bring all your plans to fruition. After reading all the steps and regulations, you need to be familiar with them. You may start doubting whether you can do this. And you can because you are not alone in this journey. You have all the support you can get from the UK’s top corporate service provider.

3E Accounting offers convenient and fast United Kingdom company incorporation services, with no hidden charges and complex procedures to stress over. Our professionals are highly trained to cut through all the bureaucratic tediums to give you your money’s worth. While you handle the plans and strategies, our professionals can take over some of the responsibilities.

To learn more about how our expert teams can help you, contact us today!