A Carshalton dog salon which was started after the owner missed her job as a dog groomer is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary. 

L A Dogs on William Street was opened in 2014 by Laura Haynes (formerly Laura Andrews) while she was pregnant.

Laura had previously worked as a dog groomer in the past, and, after enjoying the job for so much, was eager to open her own dog salon.

The 41-year-old told Your Local Guardian: “I was on maternity leave from my previous job about 10 years ago, and I noticed that a unit on the road where I lived was available.

“I found out who was buying it, so I went to speak with him.”

Laura had decided to leave dog grooming to go to university to do a law degree, and eventually worked in property.

She added: “I told the guy who was buying the unit my proposal because I really missed the job.

“It was my favourite job growing up.

“I did other bits and pieces, but really missed doing it and wanted to get back into it again.

“It seemed like the perfect opportunity to do it.

“I took it on, decorated the entire place, and began trading within three months.”

Over the years, L A Dogs has provided a full grooming service to pets.

Laura explained: “The short-haired dogs will have a bath and blow dry, as well as having their nails done.

“The long-haired ones will come in and have a bath, blow dry, nails done, haircuts, ears cleaned and ear plucked.

“We do cats’ nails too, but we don’t groom cats.

“Now they come in and get pampered and look pretty, and then they go home.”

This October, the salon will celebrate 10 years on William Street and Laura has planned a day to celebrate at the end of this month while the sun is still shining with her staff and Shih Tzu Dolly.

Laura said: “We’re having a little shindig to celebrate on September 27.

“We’ve got one of our clients – MP Bobby Dean – joining us, and we have a big number 10 in the window.

“There’ll be balloons, Prosecco, music, doggy treats.

“We’ve told all our clients and friends to come down and celebrate with us from 2pm.

“The actual anniversary is on October 31, but we wanted to do something before the weather turns cold.”

Laura is due to renew her lease at 2 William Street for another five years.

Laura described the last few years as “testing times”, and said “being a small business during the pandemic meant we were told many times that we can, but we can’t, but we can and all that uncertainty”.

She added: “We had to classify what an emergency groom meant, and we wanted to keep customers and dogs looked after and happy.”

As a mum too, she had to balance looking after her son and running the business.

Laura also explained that the salon has been tested because it had been broken into a few times in recent months.

She said: “I’m sure every business has had its ups and downs and struggles, but I think it’s a good achievement that we’ve lasted 10 years and hopefully we’ll carry on.”

Of all the things in the salon, Laura said the most unique thing about it is her staff.

She explained: “They staff make the salon unique because it’s very difficult to get the right people to work with animals.

“You must build a relationship with them, work with them, and get them to trust you.

“And there’s only a few certain people that are able to do that and have that kind of rapport with the animal, and they make the dogs want to come into the salon and get groomed.

“The staff are very good and welcoming, and they’re all good at what they do.

“And the end product is lovely because you get happy customers and happy dogs who feel at home.”

Laura is rewarding her staff by allowing them the afternoon off work on September 27 and to “carry on the party after hours” with them.