Isle of Wight pet store owner retires after 39 years

Richard Wheeler arrived in July 1983, when his family took the premises over from Fred, Margaret and Tim Honnor – the Honnor family still run Honnor and Jeffrey garden centre nearby.

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As well as the pet store, the Wheeler family also have the veterinary centre next door, where initially Richard’s uncle, Alan Wheeler, practised. Today, the service is provided by The Carisbrooke Vets.

For almost four decades, Richard has run Freshwater Pet Store in School Green Road, with help from his wife, Kerry, and sometimes his children when they were younger.

Richard Wheeler outside Freshwater Pet Store with Di, Debbie and Dee. (Image: Contributed)

Throughout the past few decades, Richard has been assisted by a team of staff, including Di Marsh, Dee Wimpory and Debbie Walden.

The store has become known for its highly competitive prices, friendly advice and wide range of food and accessories for all types of pets, including cats, dogs, birds, poultry, fish, reptiles, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits.

It is also a local collection point for Friends of the Animals and the staff can advise those looking to foster animals too.

Richard officially handed over to new owners Kelly Goodyear and Mark Mocroft on October 7, but he will still be a familiar face in the shop during the transitioning period.

Kelly and Mark – together with baby Raife – are looking forward to continuing Richard’s good work and will still be doing deliveries across West Wight.

But they also plan to bring in a few more modern touches – they are working on a new website at: www.freshwaterpetstore.co.uk and are thinking of using social media more too.

They will also be keeping Di, Dee and Debbie, so customers will still have familiar faces to talk to for many years to come.