A new dog grooming business is putting its own mark on the Derry dog scene.
The Dog Stylist, located behind Da Vinci's hotel, is resident in one of the four new business pods built to create a miniature business village promoting local enterprises, including Belle Boards craft gift shop and S3CTION Barber Company.
Owner Liam Eastwood moved out of his hometown Derry 15 years ago, to work as a Fashion Stylist in London, working for many iconic magazines such as Glamour and Marie Claire, a PR marketing manager for a bespoke tailors and then training horses in the Hertfordshire countryside.
However, Liam always wanted to be a dog groomer and was searching for a sign to come home. While he had been dog grooming in London for 5 years, a back injury caused by being thrown from a horse pushed him to finally make the journey back home and begin this new venture.
Liam spoke to MyDerry about establishing this new business in his home town.
He said: "It was an intense couple of weeks to get it open. I previously trained with Michael Shiels and luckily had my equipment already. I found some great workmen to transform the space in time for opening.
"People have been incredibly supportive and nice since I have come back. We are so lucky with what we have on our doorstep here and I am so glad to be back home."
Establishing a new business after repeated lockdowns may have seemed daunting to many, but to Liam he knew that the community of Derry would stand behind local establishments.
He said: "People in Derry want to see others do well. There is so much positive support here for people wanting to establish their own thing.
"Derry is full of local independent businesses and it is really special. People would rather support an independent business than a chain I think."
Liam gave MyDerry an insight into what new customers can expect in The Dog Stylist, and the dedication that goes into making every dog happy and comfortable.
He said: "I like to do a consultant with new clients, talk to them about their dog's breed, age, health issues, discuss what kind of groom they would like.
"We do puppy packages to get young puppies used to the equipment and get them used to going to groomers from an early age. I give owners advice on maintaining their dog's coat in between grooms and any health advice that they may ask about."
Liam is used to dealing with nervous dogs and rescue dogs, a comfort to dog owners who may feel anxious about leaving their dog at a groomers.
He said: "My own dog, Dennis, is a rescue and he was incredibly nervous when I first got him. Now he loves other dogs and company. I get a lot of nervous dogs coming in. I like to treat all dogs that come in like my own!"
"I always have classical music playing and maintain a calm environment. Even if it is just to keep me relaxed, the dogs will feed off that mood.
"For some owners, it is like leaving their child off to their first day of nursery. But our dogs always feel amazing after their time here, they leave with a new spring in their step ready to show off their new haircut!"
"This setting is fantastic as well in that owners can drop off their dog, go for a walk along the quay, get their shopping done and visit the other amazing businesses next door."
The Dog Stylist can be found on social media.
For more Derry news, visit our new site MyDerry.
