TRADER of the Week is Josh Powell who runs the Ledbury Pet Co. in Homend Mews in the town.

Josh celebrates three years running his specialist pet supply company in October in a delightful little shop in the Mews.

He has drawn on years of experience working at big pet chains such as Pets At Home to create a pet shop which specialises in bringing in products which you will not find at the big chains.

“We don’t sell any livestock,” said Josh, “we specialise in natural, ethical, sustainable, British brands.

“We wanted to become a destination store where customers know they can come and get advice on health and wellbeing and nutrition for their animals.

“People are becoming more aware how what a dog eats can affect their health and wellbeing.

“Nutrition is the backbone which is why we sell products which are cereal and filler free with a high meat content.”

Josh is a recent new father and has a daughter at home along with a cat called Rosie and an occasional borrow of his mother’s miniature Schnauzer.

“I also had a little Westie for 17 years who was my best friend growing up,” said Josh who clearly has a deep passion for all dogs.

Hi shop is like an Aladdin’s cave of goodies for canines featuring treats such as pigs ears and hooves filled with meats.

“We also sell a lot of Ostrich meat from South Africa which dogs with allergies love,” he said.

“Because it is a relatively new protein source for the dog, they haven’t had the chance to develop any allergies towards it.

“We also sell dog’s ice creams which are a little treat – they were really popular during the recent heatwave. It is like normal ice cream with reduced sugar and lactose.”

No question is too complicated for Josh who has a wall of regular dog customers’ photographs on the wall of Ledbury Pet Co.

“We have had people ask for pushchairs for dogs which isn’t as unusual as it sounds,” said Josh.