A SHOP owner who has worked in the heart of Chard for more than two decades has announced she is finally standing down.

Lin Philip initially founded the Pets Pantry 21 years ago with a business partner, but they stepped away after eight months and she has run the endeavour by herself ever since.

Throughout the whole time, Lin’s focus has been entirely on her customers - both humans and animal.

She said: “Animals are like family to me.

“My first job at 14 was doing cover for somebody in a pet shop and it kind of started there.

“Growing up we always had a family dog, and I got my first dog on my own in the 1970s.

“Also, I have always liked working with the public, in shops and as a hotel receptionist, so being able to help the public and have a business with animals has been perfect.”

Lin has always put her customers first, and has some people who have been going to the shop since she first launched.

She said: “I was a single mum with two kids when I started with empty shelves. There was no carpet. I literally started from scratch.

“It has been amazing. It has been an absolute privilege. I get to know the whole family and it is a community really.”

While Lin has adapted her business over the past 20 years, she believes her old-fashioned way of doing things has been a big help.

She doesn’t deal with computers or the internet, but instead speaks to all her customers face-to-face for every sale.

Lin added: “I have seen puppies grow up with families and then pass on, and then they get the next one.

“I still get people coming in now saying they remember when they were a kid.

“I really get to know them and I get to be able to share in that love, just to be able to do a little bit to help sometimes.

“In the last couple of weeks since I have told a few people that I would be retiring, I have already had people bringing in flowers and gifts and saying goodbye so much.

“It means so much to be able to make a difference to that person and their animals.”

Lin is now planning to sell the store with the hop it remains trading as a pet shop.

She said: “It is one thing I have really wanted to happen. It is needed in the town.”