A woman who launched her own business from the confines of her kitchen after struggling to find stylish apparel for herΒ pooch in lockdown has relocated into a permanent home in Saddleworth.
Sidney and Sapphire is a boutique pet shop, selling accessories and apparel - for dogs as well as their owners -Β situated on High Street in the heart of Uppermill village.
However, a brick-and-mortar store wasn't always on the cards for the owner behind the innovative business asΒ Briony-Leigh Morrey said it all started by a happy accident when she was looking to find a dog lead for her rescue pooch, Sidney, in the height of lockdown.
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In the midst of the pandemic, the then-furloughedΒ Briony struggled to find Sidney a lead that would give long length, comfort and a splash of style when the pair were out on their walks.
Describing the Labradoodle as her "best friend" from the moment she laid eyes on himΒ nine years ago, Briony said he means "the absolute world to me and deserves the best of the best".
But after her search for a perfect lead was fruitless, she started toΒ conjure up her own designs before eventually speaking to a manufacturer to bring her ideas to life - andΒ the brandΒ Sidney and Sapphire was suddenlyΒ born.
The business then snowballed when it wentΒ online in 2020 with Briony reeling customers in from her social media pages and flogging the goods from her kitchen at home.
Sidney and Sapphire has continued to grow ever since and has expanded toΒ sell a range of items from matching accessories, such as harnesses and leads, toΒ human apparel and natural treat boxes while Briony educates customers on safe treats and toys.
By March 2021, Briony's creations were in hot demand and she could no longer operate from home.
The 31-year-old from High Crompton then spied a pop-up shop for rent in Uppermill and said she felt compelled to take it as it was a spot she and Sidney had regularly visited on days out.
"Understanding how many other people feel the same way about their dogs, I knew I wanted to make this my career and not just my side hustle.
"A shop premises was never on my to-do list but I just knew it was the right place for my business.
"I was still employed and furloughed at the time so, to their surprise, I handed in my notice and let them know that I was jumping ship to open my own dog boutique", she added.
Since setting up the shop, Briony has found customers enjoy a "totally different experience" as they can bring their fur babies inside the store and let them choose their own treats.
From its natural dog deli, strawberries and cream flavoured 'dog bubbles'Β to a selection of toys, try-on jumpers, apparelΒ and rose-fragranced dog soaps, Sidney and Sapphire offers unique items for dogs of all shapes and sizesΒ that can't be found in normal pet stores.
For summer, the shop is selling doggie-friendly paddling pools, cooling bandanas, cooling mats, frozen toys and frozen treat trays.
Sidney and Sapphire haveΒ even just launched a new 'rainbow range' to celebrate pride month, with rainbow-themed dog toys, bandanas and rainbow sherbet-flavoured bubbles.
Briony continued: "We can ensure our customers and their dog are leaving with the perfect products for them.
"The feedback seems to be that my passion for dogs and their well-being shows through the service I provide.
"I pride S&S on stocking premium itemsΒ and sourcing local, sustainable and ethically sourced products.Β
"Our customers love that they are not only supporting my small business but so many other UK-based brands that share the same ethos that we do."
Fast forward two years and Briony said her business is booming - and she even has a new rescue dog, Ralphie the Cockapoo, who works alongside Sidney as shop assistants.
Last month, the shopΒ moved into "bigger and better" premises just down the road at number 74 which it now shares with Inner Space Records, Oldham's only record shop.
"We have an incredible community of like-minded people and pooches who visit us from all over - including people from across Oldham and customers who have found us on TikTok or Instagram", Briony added.
The woman also organises a monthly dog club meet-up alongside Felicity from The Cake Kitchen, which can also be found on High Street.
"I absolutely love meeting like-minded individuals that love their dogs as much as me and I shall continue to provide a store catering for style and substance, stocked full of products that we all love", Briony said.
If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more.Β Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.
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