A pet shop that specialises in selling parrots has winged its way to a new home in Leicestershire without ruffling any feathers!
Midland Parrots was based at a garden centre in Ibstock for seven years but had to find new premises because the owner wanted the space for other purposes. Midland Parrots has now set up a new outlet two miles away in James Street, Coalville.
Owner Bob McClumpha and partner Diane Gray have always been keen on birds and started a part-time business in 2002 selling bird food and toys at Midlands markets, but went full-tine seven years later after Bob was made redundant from the building industry.
They opened up in Ibstock, and then two years ago followed this with another shop in Westgate, Long Eaton, Derbyshire.
As well as parrots, budgies and other exotic and aviary birds the shops sell reptiles and accessories for the parrots and other pets.
The company has customers as far away as Cornwall and the Isle of Wight and also sends items to people in France, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and even America.
Having completed the first phase of the new outlet the company hopes to extend the new premises by the start of next year.
“It was a big upheaval,” said Bob. The operation took two weeks as the birds, reptiles, and stock were moved at night while trading continued from the shops during daytime.
“The birds coped well, particularly the parrots as they are used to travelling as we take them home every night and move them between the Coalville and Long Eaton shops,” Bob explained.
“I am pleased to say that all the animals have settled in well to their new home.”
Both Bob and general manager Heather Wright, who is in day-to-day charge of the business, have more birds at their homes that they have rescued or re-homed because their owners could no longer keep them for various reasons.
Bob and Heather offer educational tips on keeping birds in top condition, and with colleague Larry Dean run the East Midlands Parrot Club on the second Tuesday night each month at Pride Park Veterinary Centre in Riverside Road, Derby, where owners discuss items and try to help each other.
