Ask the Store - The Child Okeford Village Shop

We spoke to Andrew from The Child Okeford Village Shop

Tell us about your store and team?

We are the only village shop in the Heritage Village of Child Okeford, situated at the foot of the famous hill, Fort of Hambledon Hill, in Dorset. This year, we won the Countryside Alliance award sponsored by the Daily Telegraph for the best village shop in the South West of England, and we were runner-up for the best village shop in the United Kingdom.

We are a post office, a shop and a bakery. We cater for all the village's needs and have a small but much-loved pet section. Our village has many older people, most of whom have pets - in fact, I suspect that there are more dogs than humans in our village!

How did you get started in the pet industry?

This was a new career for me. I had worked in an office for 28 years. Five years ago, I wanted a change to something more community-centred. The village shop came up for sale, and I began my second career as a shopkeeper.

What is the most frequently asked question from your customers?

When is your next order coming in?

Do you have any pets?

Yes, we have a 10-year-old spaniel called Talia and a couple of 3-year-old ragdoll cats called Horatio and Athena.

How do you stand out from the crowd?

We focus on traditional values of friendship, hospitality, and providing good customer service.

What do you feed your pets?

My cats, Horatio and Athena, get Whiskas fish favourite pouches and dried food from Science Plan. Talia, my dog, gets senior pouches and dry food from James Wellbeloved.

What do you recommend to your customers?

Our customers tend to be peopleof habit, so they usually know what they want. We will alter our orders based on their requests, rather than the other way around.

Make sure you look after your customers!

What are the biggest challenges for your business?

Undoubtedly, the spirally wage costs.

Tell us your best (family-friendly) animal joke?

A horse goes into a bar - the barman says,

What's with the long face?

What's your best selling product?

The range of Forthglade trays - probably the Turkey is the favourite.

What do you think is the best new product of the year?

Our favourite new product from you this year is the Betty Millers grain free Banana, Apple and Blueberry Bones.

What trends are you seeing come through?

I would say that people are becoming more and more money conscious.

Wellbeloved Turkey and Rice Adult 2kg

SKU: 18650 Packsize: Single

RRP £12.50

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Betty Millers Grain Free Banana Apple and Blueberry Bones 400g

SKU: 261385 Packsize: Cse 6

RRP £4.39

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Forthglade Comp Meal Adult Turkey with Brown Rice Veg 395g

SKU: 263029 Packsize: Cse 18

RRP £1.90

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Forthglade Just Turkey Grain Free 395g

SKU: 263088 Packsize: Cse 18

RRP £1.90

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WHISKAS 1+ Cat Pouches Fish Favourites in Jelly 12x85g

SKU: 268656 Packsize: Cse 4

RRP £5.34

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Published on 13th May 2025

#ask-the-store