The Ark Pet Centres, which had branches in Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay, shut all stores on April 23, 2026, after 30 years of trading, as the Devon-based retailer cited intense economic pressure
A pet shop chain has revealed it has shuttered all its outlets after 30 years of operation due to soaring costs – and concerns over further hikes on the horizon. The announcement follows all firms grappling with expense surges such as increased National Insurance contributions for staff, alongside steeper taxes.
And additional rises are looming with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warning the consequences of the Iran war will ‘go on’. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) states UK retailers have encountered a “£5.6 billion wave of additional costs” in 2025 and 2026.
This encompasses a cut in rates relief, elevated wages, fresh packaging levies and the April 2026 hike in property valuations. This week, The Ark Pet Centres revealed it was shutting all outlets with immediate effect following 30 years of operation.
The enterprise operated multiple sites across south and east Devon including in Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay. The firm began around 1995-1996, with official incorporation for The Ark Pet Centre Limited on July 21, 1997, reports the Express.
The group expanded into a major Devon independent retailer, running approximately nine stores at various periods. The company was recognised for excellent animal welfare standards, regularly serving as a “pet expert” retailer and securing the 2022 PetQuip UK Pet Retailer of the Year award.
The firm shut all its premises unexpectedly on April 23, 2026, blaming severe economic pressures, elevated running costs, and looming additional increases. A spokesman expressed: “It is with hue regret and sadness that we announce that after 30 years of trading, we will be shutting our doors for good as of today – 23rd April.
“This affects all stores. While we have all worked incredibly hard to weather the economic storm, we can no longer sustain the increasing pressure and huge rising costs, and with more increases on the horizon, we have had to make the heartbreaking decision to cease trading.
“We would like to thank our wonderful team who have worked hard to make The Ark what it was – and we truly wish them all the very best for the future. To our loyal customers – thank you, we appreciate you and we truly will miss serving you and your pets.
“We never set out to be a ‘pet shop’, we wanted to be a place where local people could get help and advice on pet care from people they trusted, and we’re proud to have done that for the last 30 years.We have loved every minute of this from day one, thank you for being part of our journey.”
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