A MARRIED couple who have owned a pet shop on Wheelock Street for 35 years have decided to now leave their shop behind and go travelling.

Ken Davies, 66, and his wife Shirley, 65, have been running the pet shop Davies Tropical’s since 1979 but now it’s time for the pair to enjoy retirement.

Ken said: “We have been running the shop for 35 years and we have enjoyed our time here very much.

“Overall it’s been very successful and we’ve met many people who we’ve had great relationships with.

“In a way we’ve seen three generations come into our shop and it’s been very enjoyable.

“We would like to thank our customers over the years for being loyal to us and I hope they continue coming to the shop and after we’ve gone.”

Although Ken and Shirley will be leaving their beloved Davies Tropical’s behind, the shop will remain open with the pair’s understudy Genna Bennett, taking the reins.

Genna, who has worked in the shop for seven years will be taking on the manager role at the shop and with her business knowledge, Ken is confident she will do well for the shop.

Ken added: “We have been successful but I think Genna will be able to do better and I hope she does and goes on to increase trade.

“I’m sure she will love running the shop and I hope she does enjoy it just as much as we did.

“I would like to think our customers will miss us but they know Genna well already and they’ll get on just fine.”

The long term owners will now be enjoying a well-deserved retirement in many places around the world.

Ken said: “I’m looking forward to retirement now and we intend to travel around the world to see places we haven’t seen before and revisit the ones we have enjoyed in the past like many palces in Scandinavia.”