A WHITCHURCH dog groomer has spoken fondly of the friendships she has made as she announced her retirement.

Kate Salter owns Kate Salter Dog Grooming service and has worked in the Watergate Arcade for the last seven years and finished on Friday, January 13.

The business owner took the decision to retire after deciding she could not continue forever, having worked as a dog groomer for the last 23 years.

Kate spoke fondly about the time she has run the grooming in the arcade and spoke about the camaraderie among business owners.

She said: "I love it because you have passing trade.

"There is such a great atmosphere in the arcade, we call ourselves the 'Watergaters.'

"A lot of people come and go quickly as business is difficult at the moment.

"But people will come to you if you treat your customers right and do a good job.

"We all get on great together, there is a great community atmosphere."

Kate will be using the next few weeks to move her equipment out of the store, get it clean and painted.

Kate lives in Market Drayton, but spoke positively about Whitchurch and said she developed a good reputation from customers.

She said: "Whitchurch is great.

"I had a lot of people from Whitchurch and small surrounding areas.

"Over the years, I have not had to advertise, it has been word of mouth.

"I think that proves that if you do a decent job, people will tell others about you.

"That was my advertising really."

The arcade provided an opportunity for Kate to showcase her work to other store owners who went on to use her services.

She said: "I groomed the dogs of other store owners in the arcade.

"They would not come to me because I am nearby.

"They come to me because I do a job that they are happy with."

Kate has made very strong friendships over the years and said they will be lifelong.

She added: "The contacts and friendships I have made in Whitchurch will not be broken.

"I am connected with people on Facebook as well.

"You expect to meet people when it comes to business, but you don't expect it to be very close we have.

"That is how Whitchurch is."