Much-loved pet shop forced to close after more than 60 years ‘amid cost pressures'
Dabners pet shop in Croydon is set to close for the last time on Saturday, August 16.
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It first opened on Surrey Street in 1959, and was inherited by Mark who took over the business from his father.
Rising costs and decreasing footfall to the store has lead to the store shutting down, which Mark says was exacerbated by the government's autumn budget last year.
In one month, Dabners experienced a 30 per cent fall in customers walking through its doors, the greatest drop the store has seen in the 40 years Mark has worked there.
He said to BPM Media: 'It's so sad and very disheartening.
'I've worked on this my whole life and to see it go down this way is horrible."
With the closure, Mark is now looking to open up another pet shop, likely out of Croydon town centre.
Rampant crime and antisocial behaviour in the area has made him concerned about continuing business in the area.
The pet shop owner is therefore looking to set up another store in Horsham, West Sussex.
Mark told MyLondon: 'Croydon feels a bit lawless.
" Shoplifting is worse than ever but we're not getting any support.
Last year, the businessowner had a knife pulled on him in the middle of Surrey Street as he tried to stop a shoplifter from stealing a dog harness.
Despite allegedly capturing the incident on video by a member of the public, Scotland Yard claimed they did not have enough evidence to prosecute the suspect.
Mark added: "If we catch one [shoplifter] we're just told to email the police who never do much about it."
The Metropolitan Police in response have said they are focusing on the most profilic offender s.
They also contend that shoplifting in Croydon town centre has dropped by 31 per cent over the past six months.
Metropolitan Police's neighbourhood policing lead for Croydon, Superintendent Mitch Carr, added: "Croydon is one of 20 town centres and high streets across London that will see enhanced police and partner activity this summer.
"There will be increased police patrols, intelligence-led plain-clothed operations in hotspot areas, and officers will relentlessly target wanted and prolific offenders who commit offences, particularly shoplifting and anti-social behaviour."
Mark also thinks Croydon Council could do more to support independent traders, and return the area a top shopping location.
He said: 'Ten years ago people used to travel here from other areas, now we're only serving locals - and some of them even go to Bromley or other parts of South London for better shops."
Croydon Council has described the closure of Dabners "disappointing", and recognised the contribution it has made to the community over the past six decades.
A spokesperson from the council said: "We understand these are challenging times for retailers nationally, particularly independent businesses.
"That's why Croydon Council continues to deliver a range of business support programmes, funded by external grants."
They have planned to invest £4.4 million into an "Amplifying Surrey Street programme" which hopes to improve market infrastructure and greenery in the area, as well as deliver a programme of events that can help drive footfall.
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