Dog groomer with ‘royal’ pedigree at Linmere

A dog groomer who offers ‘royal ‘treatments to much loved pooches in Houghton Regis, Dunstable and the surrounding area is the second business owner to lease premises in the soon-to-be-opened Farmstead at new village Linmere.

Sarah King, who has been pampering pets for the past three years from a purpose-built cabin in her garden in Houghton Regis, says the move to the community hub in February will enable her to expand her services to the area’s new canine residents.

Royal’s Dog Grooming fits in perfectly with Linmere’s wholesome outdoor vibe and its focus on encouraging residents to get out and about and engage in a healthy lifestyle. Customers will be able to pop into the neighbouring café for coffee, cake or a nutritious meal, many of which are created from produce grown on its own allotment.

The developers, who are encouraging local businesses to move in and employ staff living on their doorstep, hope other enterprises will be among the stores to open their doors later in the year.

The Farmstead will also have rooms available for hire for Community-focused events like yoga and children’s clubs, as well as co-working facilities.

Cycle paths and cycle-friendly roads will crisscross the development and Linmere will also link in with the national cycle network. Walking routes will connect it with surrounding countryside and villages and the site will offer a combination of parkland, wildlife corridors, allotments, sports pitches and play areas.

A third of the overall 650-acre site will not be developed and will be managed in a way which allows natural habitats to thrive.

Sarah King, who is offering a 20 per cent discount to new customers, said: “I love treating the dogs in my care like royalty and their owners tell me their pets enjoy the experience too. My business has grown over the years and I currently have around 200 canine clients. With my move to the Farmstead I’ll be able to cater for even more. Plus, there’ll be a café next door so the owners can enjoy a coffee or snack while they wait and the playground will offer somewhere safe for the children to play. A trip to the dog groomer will probably become something of a social event and I’m so looking forward to moving in and looking after the many dogs who are going to make Linmere their home.”

Linmere development director Nigel Reid said: “The focus of the Farmstead, and of Linmere as a whole, is very much on enjoying the great outdoors. With cycle tracks and footpaths across the village, there will be plenty of opportunity for people to get out and about on foot, on two wheels and with their four-legged friends. No resident will be further than a five minute walk from green space so it is ideal for those looking for a healthy lifestyle – and that includes dog owners!”