A new dog grooming business in Southport has opened in the perfect location – which allows both pets and their owners to get pampered!
Northam Bears opened in June at 136 Cambridge Road in Churchtown, next to Churchtown Lights, last year.
Owned by Jessica-Mary Prescott, it is inside the same building as the popular Barklays dog friendly cafe, which means owners can sit back and enjoy a delicious lunch or a coffee with some cake while their pets are expertly looked after.
Directly next door is the House of Mojos ladies hairdressers and beauty salon while Mojos Barbers is just around the corner, so owners and their pets can come out enjoying a fresh new look.
Northam Bears owner Jessica-Mary Prescott said: “I have been in here at Barklays Cafe since June last year. Barklays was already there when I moved in. I took the room at the back.
“I have been dog grooming for eight years this October, having previously worked in other salons as well as teaching dog grooming at a highly accredited grooming school.
“I have a City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma, my International IPG qualification and I am fully pet first aid trained.
“I cater for all breeds of dog, and all sizes of dog. I have two Alaskan Malamutes myself which when I’m not working, I spend my time out walking, training and showing.
“I am happy to work with any dog, regardless of how they feel towards being groomed.
“The services I provide include:
Dog grooming
Teeth cleaning
Hand stripping
Full grooms
Puppy grooms
Bath and blow dry’s
Mini grooms
Nail clipping
Northam Bears works closely with Barklays dog friendly cafe, House of Mojos ladies’ hairdressers and beauty salon and Mojos Barbers, which are all owned by Lesley Morgan-Macbain.
Jessica-Mary said: “It is really nice that the clients can stay in the cafe and have a brew or some lunch while their dogs are being groomed.
“It makes really great sense, customers love it. It has worked really well for both businesses
“I am building up customers really fast which is great for a business that has only been open for seven months.
“I am really grateful to all of my customers for supporting and trusting me with their precious pups.”
The businesses are in a perfect location for dog owners and families.
They are handily placed for the beautiful Botanic Gardens Park nearby, a perfect spot for dog walking – as well as being handily placed for people doing the school runs at nearby places including Churchtown Primary, St Patrick’s, Stanley High, Larkfield Primary and Presfield High.
Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Jessica-Mary also helps new puppies to acclimatise to new and strange environments, with new smells, sights and noises, before they move onto their forever homes.
She said: “As the mum of a dog that can be a little nervous with new people and environments, this was something I really wanted to incorporate in how I was going to run the salon.
“Especially since lockdown, and the increase in dogs, some dogs haven’t had the same socialisation experience they could have previously. I provide a relaxed 1-1 experience and made sure I was insured to have owners in the salon, if the dogs require.
“Also being based within Barklays dog cafe means, as the dogs become more comfortable with me, the owners can leave the salon, grab a coffee and are nearby if required.”
Dog owners have been grateful of her expertise.
A client said: “I got my Cavapoo Waffle during the lockdown; at the time, it was wonderful to spend so much time with him, but sadly he developed separation anxiety as a result of this and showed signs of aggression when he was scared.
Photo by Andrew Brown Media
“Thankfully I can take him to work with me, but grooming became difficult. It was causing him so much stress and upset.
“I found Jess through a dog charity. She has been life-changing for Waffle and me.
“I chose Jess because she offered a one-on-one service which is very rare in groomers these days.
“On our first visit, Jess spent so much time getting to know Waffle, rewarding him and building his trust. She genuinely cares for his wellbeing and invests so much time into building his confidence and trust when she could very easily have muzzled him and got the job done, but she did everything on Waffle’s terms.
“Six months on, Waffle bounces into his appointments with excitement to see someone he considers a best friend. It’s lovely to see him so happy and confident with someone who’s taken the time to get to know him.
“And as for me….. I’m happy taking full advantage of the dog cafe location, the perfect spot for me to meet like-minded dog paw-parents.”
- Northam Bears – Professional Dog Groomers are at 136 Cambridge Road, Churchtown, Southport, in the same building as Barklays dog friendly cafe. Call 07726 332978 or email: Northambears@gmail.com or visit the Northam Bears page on Facebook here or northambears on Instagram here.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
