KEEPERS COTTAGE, HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

Keepers cottage is situated on land that was originally owned by Welsh Water and formed part of the surrounding area of Cwmavon Reservoir. The Reservoir house and land was bought in 1984 and planning permission given for the building of kennels. The original owners had the kennels for eight years, then had their licence revoked by the council because of their kennel practices.

The property was put on the market in 1995, inviting sealed bids, the top bid gaining the right to buy. I bought the property as an investment for the future, living on my own and working as a University Lecturer it was something to build on should redundancy ever occur.  The business was non existent with a bad reputation and therefore had to be rebuilt, this involved a risk, was there the business in the area and could the reputation of a quality kennel be re-gained?

In developing the business the first priority was to try to re-establish a good reputation, after some initial refurbishment, an open day took place for potential customers to come and look around at the changes and inspect and discuss kennelling of their dogs with the new owner and staff.

During the first year, the policy of building the reputation was  established, and further refurbishment of the kennels took place. Also the house had to be renovated and a new extension built to form a whelping kennel, grooming room, and dog living room for my show dogs, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. A study was also built for myself, for kennel paperwork and University work.

The policy in the second year was to continue to build the kennels business, and also to diversify. A grooming centre was accommodated at the entrance to the kennels and staff trained with the London Academy of Grooming. Again a marketing strategy took place, with both newspaper coverage and again invitations to see the grooming as it took place.

With the consistent success of the kennels and the grooming, the third year continued the development and diversification with the introduction of a Pedigree Chum Pet foods, Breeder Collection Point (BCP). This enables dog or cat breeders, show people, guide dog owners, obedience and agility dog owners etc. who hold a special card to buy their pet food at a reduced cost. The kennels are given an allowance of food from the company depending on the quantity of food they sell, thus reducing the kennels food bill.

The fourth year having now established a high reputation, the customers required for a facility to board both cats and dogs was considered. In the summer of 1998  a new cattery was built and opened with a facility for 22 chalets/30 cats. The local paper ran the success story of Keepers Cottage and marketed an open day similar to the first day when the kennels opened.

The current aim at Keepers Cottage is to provide the most effective and efficient service with the most up to date facilities. The main objectives are to continually look at further ways of improving and expanding the business, and maintain a good customer relationship.

WORK EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS

We can offer work experience for overseas or UK resident students during the summer months, or for a period over the year, either to gain experience of the Business, Improve English or Part of a Course of study you are doing.

Louise came from France for one year (2006) and returned again the
following year (2007).

Students live in the Residential Caravan, self catering but all food is paid for and have an allowance per week, work 5 days per week with 2 days off.

Catt and Sanne came from Holland 2007 for the summer season.

As part of your stay here you will work in the Boarding Kennels, Cattery, Grooming, and attend some Shows, Staff have a good leisure time with nights out with the girls to the Cinema, Bowling, Restaurant etc.

If you are interested please contact me with you CV and Interest www.linjorretrievers@aol.com

AFTER 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS, WE CELEBRATED BY TAKING ALL THE STAFF TO AMSTERDAM FOR A WEEKEND

A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!!!

As everyone had such a good time in Amsterdam, they all wanted to do it again next year, so it was decided to go to Dublin in 2006

THIS TIME OUR THEME WAS "THE KEEPERS COTTAGE ROAD SHOW GIRLS!

The keepers cottage Crew ready to go!
We caused quiet a stir and everyone was very curious to know what KCC meant!

The girls from behind!

The girls and myself all had a good time out on the town in Dublin

And we really enjoyed our Irish Breakfast the morning after!!

For 2007 The girls decided on Barcelona for their weekend.

Look at the sky for our sightseeing! clear blue in November!

We took the open top bus tour to see the sights of Barcelona

Enjoyed Champagne in the Hard Rock Cafe

And of course no trip is complete without finding an Irish Bar for the Traditional Irish Breakfast after a night out!!!

Every Christmas we get together and try to go somewhere different:

This year we went to the Skirrid Mountain Inn, the oldest and most haunted Inn in Wales!

The Inn was originally a Courthouse, and it is said that 182 deaths by hanging took place under the order of Judge Jefferies. His Ghost and many others of the hanged people haunt the Inn.

There are 3 bedrooms and we all stayed the night, five of the girls all stayed in one bed all night, they were so scared! Many Orbes were photographed by the girls in room two!

After a night of no sleep, we were all very pleased to see daylight and of course our usual cooked breakfast could not be missed!

It has also been tradition every year since the kennels opened, to have a barbeque on Christmas eve, (yes I know its winter!) We close at twelve noon and go on the decking with the barbeque and the fire pit to keep us warm, the girls all put their presents on the table and after out food and a glass (or few) of wine we open our presents together, crazy but we have fun!