PETS AT GROAN

Pets at Home could close up to 30 of its veterinary practices as part of an overhaul.

The pet supplies chain will also take over the running of 25 outlets.

The move, costing up to £53million, is an acknowledgement that the business division, called First Opinion, had grown too fast.

Most of the 471 practices are run as joint ventures, often by the vets themselves. However, they have been hit by rising costs.

The shake-up saw Pets at Home’s half-year profits crash 80% to £8m.

But group sales rose 6.7% to £500m as it passed on £20m of price cuts to customers.