Easing of restrictions allows Bury St Edmunds business Camp Tails Doggy Daycare to reopen

Dogs are back playing together at a Bury St Edmunds centre after a reversal in fortunes for the business’s owner.

At the end of April, Jon Kay was fearing for Moreton Hall-based Camp Tails Doggy Daycare after finding the ‘creche for dogs’ would not be covered by any government lockdown support.

But thanks to lockdown easing, dogs are now being allowed back in and Camp Tails is back in business. And after West Suffolk Council took on the case, a grant has now been secured to help see the firm through.

Mr Kay said: “People were asking when we would reopen as many of our customers are working still and needed somewhere for their dogs to stay during the day. It was good timing when Boris Johnson relaxed the lockdown restrictions as it was around the same time we were able to get the grant.”

Camp Tails has operated a system where owners can safely transfer their dogs without needing to leave their cars.

This ‘doggie drive through’ has allowed a secure hand-over and the business has otherwise continued as normal.

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“We want to guarantee customer safety and we are doing everything we can,” Mr Kay added.

After missing out on the grant because Camp Tails did not meet the definition of ‘hospitality’, West Suffolk Council was able to successfully overturn the decision based on precedent of other firms.

Mr Kay said: “We could have faced massive losses, because we did not have a grant and had no income.

“Ours is a very unique case, and it may not help other firms, but we are grateful to the council.”