"We are a part of the town” – Sutton shop to close its doors after almost 40 years

A Sutton-in-Ashfield shop will close its doors for the final time next week after its owners made the decision to retire after almost 40 years serving the people of Nottinghamshire.
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Petscene, a pet and fishing shop on Outram Street in Sutton, first opened its doors almost 40 years ago, and its two owners have been there ever since.

Cliff Hinks, 66, and Dave Ansell, also 66, opened the store in April 1981, opening two more (in Warsop and Mansfield) along the way, but have made the decision to retire as ‘it is not the same it was’ with competition from the internet and less footfall on the street.

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Cliff said: “We are past retirement age so we put it up on the market last year and that’s that really.

"It has paid our mortgages off and brought our families up.

"We started here in 1981, we then opened a branch in Warsop in 1985, and then one in Mansfield in 1986, so we had quite a nice business.

"Along the way, we sold off Warsop in 1990 and closed Mansfield down as part of the retirement strategy six and a half years ago.

"We both passed the 66 mark and our children are not interested in carrying on the family business as they all have nice jobs and it is not the same it was with the internet.

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"When we started on Outram Street, every shop was independent traders – it was a very different kettle of fish. The town has changed."

Petscene is one of the oldest remaining stores on Outram Street and has been a family affair since the very beginning, with Cliff’s mum working in the store before Cliff and Dave even took it over and made it what we know it as today.

The pair, so much a part of the shop that it is even branded ‘Cliff and Dave’s Petscene’ on the store-front, are even brother-in-law’s, and Dave’s wife (Cliff’s sister) even worked in the shop.

Petscene owners, Cliff Hinks and Dave Ansell, will retire when the shop closes.Petscene owners, Cliff Hinks and Dave Ansell, will retire when the shop closes.
Petscene owners, Cliff Hinks and Dave Ansell, will retire when the shop closes.

Cliff said: “I always had this dream to work for myself, and my mum used to work at the pet shop part time for the people that had it.

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"She told me they were thinking of selling and I always had a keen interest in animals, and I was also a keen fisherman as a young lad, so that was the opportunity that arose and my mum continued working for us and it has been a family business ever since.”

The business has not only allowed Cliff and Dave to work in an industry that interests them, but it has also given them the chance to become a big part of the community and make friends from the area along the way.

They have sold hamsters and fish to generations of Sutton families, and Cliff says that he even gets grandchildren coming in of customers he used to serve as children when the store first opened back in the eighties.

Cliff and Dave's Petscene will close its shutters for the final time on October 29 - so catch a bargain while you can.Cliff and Dave's Petscene will close its shutters for the final time on October 29 - so catch a bargain while you can.
Cliff and Dave's Petscene will close its shutters for the final time on October 29 - so catch a bargain while you can.

Cliff said: "We have had customers that have gone on to bring their kids, and then their kids, and then their kids – that’s how long we have been here.

"We have made loads of friends, as well as customers.

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"We are a part of the town. I am sure most of the people in the town know us.”

The brother-in-law’s were innovative in their approach to the pet business, modernising the shop to create a welcoming self service approach, and Cliff assures us that the hard work was worth it – even admitting that it will be ‘strange’ not opening up the shop in a morning.

"We are definitely going to miss it because it has been a part of our lives for so long, don’t get me wrong we had to throw the towel in at some stage but I am sure it is going to be strange because we have been doing it for so long.

"I wont miss the hassle factor, but I will miss the customers that come for a chat."

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Comments poured in on social media for the pair, with members of the Sutton community wishing them both a happy and well-deserved retirement.

Adrian Spencer said: “All the best in your retirement Cliff.

“I've used your shop from a young age buying fish and small rodents up to buying fishing tackle and bait.

“Sad to see you go.”

Maria Annie Williams added: “Wishing you all the best. But wish you weren't going, I always purchased my pets/fish from you and unlike the big store in town I knew animals from you were actually handled.

"Will be sorry to see you go.”

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They are unable to celebrate at the moment due to Covid-19 regulations, but I am sure many in Sutton will raise a drink for the pair for all their years’ service.

The owners and their staff would like to thank all their customers for their support over the years.

Cliff and Dave close the Petscene doors for the final time on October 29, but they still want to give something back to their loyal customers by offering the ‘chance to grab a bargain’.

Until its closure next Thursday, Petscene will be putting on a 50 per cent sale with deals on everything from fishing rods and fish tanks, to livestock units and beanie hats.

Visit the Petscene Facebook page to see what they have on offer during their final week of trading after almost 40 years.