Savoy Centre takes the lead with new pooch-friendly pop-up store
DOG owners are being invited to a new pooch-friendly pop-up store launching next month at Glasgow’s Savoy Centre.
Ailsa Lyall-Mathews, 24, came up with the concept for RUFF.sunday because she felt there was a lack of unique products for dog owners available within larger pet stores.
She decided to launch a space, which could support small, independent brands and picked COLAB, the Savoy’s new retail space for her venture.
Some of the brands featuring include; Hoop & Loop, Vackertass Supply Co., Buddy Bubbles, Bark and Hare & Tyne Dog Co.
There will also be ‘pay what you can’ workshops with dog trainers, groomers and vets.
RUFF.sunday is also aiming to join forces with animal charities to host fundraising events and plans to feature a re-homing wall to help find new owners for abandoned pets.
Ailsa also wants to encourage more adults battling loneliness to consider getting a dog.
She said: “There is a proven link between improved well-being and dog ownership, and this is what the of RUFF.sunday is based on.
“We are facing an absolute epidemic when it comes to mental health and with things like therapy dogs becoming more common, I think it’s really important for projects like RUFF.sunday to provide a platform to highlight how important owning a pet can be in supporting mental health.
“Glasgow is such a welcoming city and I’ve made friends here I would now call family.
“That’s why I thought it was such a good place to start with these events with the aim of bringing dog owners and animals together for social events, while supporting the independents that really need it in an extremely challenging retail environment.”
The one-day event is being held at COLAB on May 14.