As Pet Food Supplies marks its 40th anniversary in business this week, Gayle Parks reveals the history of the well-known store and continuing its legacy within the family.

Les Astbury, my Grandpa, had always had a dream to have his own pet food shop.

He had been working as a rep for Spratts for 13 years before opening the pet shop. In early 1981 the opportunity for Les's dream came true.

Irene, my Nana, and Les took over a shop on Moss Lane, Macclesfield, that had been a Laundrette known as 'The Coin Wash' and converted it into their pet food shop.

They opened the shop on 9 March 1981 and takings on that first day totalled £9.00.

They slowly built their business up over the years, with Les providing a delivery service within the local area.

Unfortunately, in 2007 our Grandpa passed away. My younger brother and I helped our Nana take over the running of the shop.

Our Nana is now 94 and still comes down to the shop Monday to Friday.

Since 2007, the shop has gone from strength to strength and we have extended the premises, made our stock room smaller, allowing more room in the shop for products to be displayed.

More recently, we have expanded our shop upstairs to make a room full of dog beds, cages, etc. In the other two rooms upstairs we have opened a new and used horse tack and equipment area which has proved very popular.

We have also changed the shop around to allow more room for fishing baits and tackle, which is proving rather popular!

I certainly think that grandpa would be so proud of us all and our achievements.

Talking of achievements—we were delighted to hear that my Nana, Irene, was nominated for Cheshire Women of the Year Award back in March 2017.

She attended a special lunch and ceremony at Eaton Hall in Chester with her granddaughter-in-law Natalie Parks, where she picked up a Lifetime Achievement Award which is on show at the shop.

Nana said she was "very honoured to have been recognised and I still have no idea who nominated me!"

We would like to thank all of our customers, both new and long-standing, for their continued support during these unprecedented times and look forward to celebrating properly with you all at the end of august when nana will be 95.

Hopefully, when all Covid restrictions have been lifted you will be welcome to come along to the shop to enjoy a piece of cake and there will be some special offers as well as goodies and freebies to give out.

See gallery for more pictures.