Doncaster 20-year-old realises childhood dream of opening a pet shop- during lockdown

Ever since he was five-years-old, Bailey Newbury envisioned a career working with animals.

The former McAuley High School pupil kept reptiles at home and hoped that one day he would find a way to turn his hobby into a living.

Fast forward 15 years later and Bailey's Reptile’s and Pet Supplies is now open for business on Roberts Road Business Park, selling all manner of exotic critters from geckos to tortoises to pythons.

The business is quite remarkable in that not only has it been launched by someone of such a young age, but also in the midst of a pandemic- and Bailey says he has had a ‘phenomenal’ response from the Doncaster community.

“I was only expecting to sell one animal a week but I was surprised at how well the shop took off, and the incredible response I’ve had from residents especially at this time,” said Bailey.

“It takes a while for any business to get off the ground and I am currently working more than 80 hours a week. That fine however, as this is my passion.”

The store has been years in the making- on leaving school at 16, Bailey began saving money meticulously in his job working for a property development firm.

By February 2019 he had a business plan drawn up and in April this year he began moving animals, cages and stock into his new unit at the business park.

When the pandemic struck, Bailey decided giving up just wasn’t an option.

“I’d already paid for the animals and stock and pumped around £4,000 in savings into the shop, as well as undertaking venemous and snake handling training,” he said.

“Due to the crisis, there were some issues with obtaining a licence, but I did get it sorted.

“It’s more than a shop to me. I’m keen to bring knowledge to the public on animals people would normally find scary.”

Bailey also wants to give something back to Doncaster and donates any leftover live stock to local reptile rescue centres.

At home, he’s the proud owner four ball pythons, a chameleon and two bearded dragons.

Follow the shop on Facebook here or visit the website.

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