Cat cafe owner fights dog grooming salon move

The owner of a cat cafe fighting against the opening of a dog grooming salon nearby said it could "potentially end" his business.

Stuart Waue, who owns Andover Catfe, in Winchester Street, said he worried that "agitated dogs making a lot of noise" could upset its cats.

He said the cat cafe aimed to create a "calming atmosphere for people to enjoy the company of cats".

Amber Cooper, who wants to open Barks'n'Bubbles salon in a vacant unit in the same Grade II listed terrace row, said she understood concerns but was confident clients would not disrupt the other business.

"The increased canine traffic in the area may result in an increase in dog faeces and members of the public waiting outside our windows with their (potentially agitated and noisy) dogs disturbing our cats and visitors," Mr Waue told Test Valley Borough Council.

"We're not dog haters and can appreciate a small business taking on an empty unit but to open this right next to a cat cafe will potentially end us when we are currently bringing people from outside the town into Andover."

But Miss Cooper said, in a statement, that her clients would visit on an appointment-only basis and there would be a waiting area inside the salon, minimising disruption in Winchester Street and to the cat cafe.

"I have known my clients for many years, all of which are responsible owners who will be sure to pick up after their dogs should they mess outside," she added.

"I will also be displaying signs to remind them of this."

The cat cafe opened in late 2023.

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