Popular vet opens up a new practice

So said Town Mayor Jimmy Carroll of vet Stephen White at the official opening of the new Claremont practice premises on London Road.

The popular vet has moved from Sidley Street where he worked for 32 years and apart from treating and caring for pets will also be selling everything they could possibly need. It’s a more visible presence than either the previous premises or the branch in Wainwright Road set someway off the beaten track.

Stephen told the Observer: “The main reason for the move was the fact that parking and access had become so difficult at the top of Sidley Street and there was no pet shop down the bottom here any more.

“The people of Sidley have been very good to me for a long time. I thought we needed to provide a better service both for the good of Sidley and for the good of the business.

“With the number of new shops down here, the electronic shop and Candy Corner which has just had its refurbishment, Sidley shopping centre is looking up a little bit and hopefully will continue to do so.”

He added: “Sidley feels like home - it has been nice here. I have worked here and lived in Sidley and the people have been very good to my business. It is like home.”

Stephen has been involved in life in the area on a number of levels - he is for instance secretary of Sidley Community Association which recently organised Christmas lunch for 50 local pensioners.

The Town Mayor attended the launch and commented it was good to see the village “filling up” when it had been suffering, and saw the opening of this new premises as a step towards revitalising the area.

Stephen’s wife Laura, practice manager, said the business was more likely to attract passing trade from those who might not have been aware of the practice before - even though Stephen has some clients who have stayed with him since his early days.

She said of her husband: “He is a very genuine man. He has always wanted to do this. He loves his job and is very proud of his background and what he has done. He is a straightforward, honest person who will try to help people whenever he can. I am extremely proud of him.”