We Mean Business: ‘If I was starting a business now in Northampton, I wouldn’t bother getting premises’
A long-standing business owner admits that if she were to launch a venture in Northampton now, she would not bother getting premises due to its complexity.
Launched at the start of February, the Chronicle & Echo’s new campaign hopes to help curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026 across the town.
The twice-weekly stories spotlight what Northampton stands to lose if your favourite businesses were to close down, highlight the biggest challenges they currently face, and encourage greater support from the powers that be and the community before it is too late.
The thirteenth founder to feature as part of We Mean Business is Jules Guy, who launched Pamper My Poochie in July 2016. The business offers holistic dog spa and dental treatments, dog sitting, walking and a popular wedding chaperone service.
Jules has worked with dogs since she was 11 and saw a gap in the market after hearing that many people miss out on weddings to look after dogs, as well as the pooch missing out.
It was in 2021 when the company’s groomers launched in Gloucester Avenue, where the spa treatments take place and pet products are available to shop.
Let’s take a look at what Jules had to say…
How would you summarise your experience of running an independent business in Northampton at the moment?
“We’re busy but we have to work hard to stay relevant,” said Jules. “We post on social media two-to-three times a day and some people still don’t see our posts. We’re lucky to be busy and often fully booked, with good relationships with lots of regular clients and new clients all the time.”
With the goal of evolving to remain current and fresh for customers, Pamper My Poochie is launching its ‘Wellbeing Hub’ at the end of May. Having extended the lease on their premises, Jules is confident that now is the time to expand.
This project is centred around mental health and giving people the opportunity to pop in for a drink and write a positive note for others to pick up as a boost during their visit. The Wellbeing Hub will be home to a variety of sessions and workshops, and Pamper My Poochie looks forward to collaborating with different businesses to bring this to life.
“We were looking for bigger premises,” said Jules. “But we were struggling to find somewhere suitable, high quality, that welcomed dogs, didn’t need a change in planning permission and didn’t want £30,000 upfront.
“We’ve now extended the lease on our current premises for seven years. If I were starting a business in Northampton now, I would go without a premises – I wouldn’t bother.”
What are the biggest challenges you currently face as a business owner, and what impact do these have on the daily running of your venture?
Jules says the biggest challenge is customers shopping around and being drawn in by others offering cheaper deals to gain new clients – and the fact that people are going longer without getting their dogs a haircut.
“We’re not really in a doom and gloom state,” said Jules. “We just want to encourage people to keep shopping local. You may be able to get something for £1 cheaper online, but support us and keep it local. You can get everything in our shop.
“We offer rewards through our loyalty scheme. If you get five stamps, you get £10 off. We are extremely lucky that people keep coming back as we’re up against the big boys. When times get hard, I have to come last after everyone else.”
What do you believe Northampton stands to lose if your business were to close down? What unique offerings do you bring to the town that would be sorely missed?
Jules said: “They would miss us so much, and the dogs would miss us. We have a friendly approach and the dogs see the same people. I have a good team who have been with me for a long time. We build trust with the dogs.”
What small actions can our readers and the Northampton community take to support your business in 2026?
“Keep supporting,” Jules concluded. “Even if you’re not a client, pop in and support the Wellbeing Hub when it’s open. We’re also looking to establish business collaborations and sponsors, to cover the cost of drinks to make it as accessible as possible.”