hi, i dont know if this is in the rite section of the forum, it would be my dream to open a reptile shop in bristol, there is a shop for rent near me which would be ideal. what would i need to do to open 1? do i need any qualifications or certificates etc? i would like to breed my own stock as i get great satisfaction breeding my own at home but obviously i would have to buy the inital reptiles. i have had quite alot of experience building vivs so i reakon i could do that side of it. am i dreaming or is it possible for me to live my dream?

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possible but until youve researched it enough its a dream

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i was thinking of asking a shop owner over the other side of town but he probably wont want to help because it could take buisness away from him! i dont want to do dwa just the normal stuff, where can i find info?

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basically you would need to see a business adviser and put together a decent business plan before a bank would even think about lending you the money.

You would have to look at the fact of whether theres a need for it, I can think of 5 reptile/exotics shops in and around Bristol so would you be able to do good business.

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first step would be to figure how much setting up a shop the size of that space is going to cost, bearing in mind everything costs about 50% more for businesses, then finding the money, either your own or can you get a loan? Assuming it's within your means, next you'd probably want to contact your local council and find what it requires for pet shop licensing, it's different for every council. Breeding your own is the best way to compete really, and building your own vivs would cut down on the cost of the vivs sure, but bear in mind the time as well, as unless the space is on the market for an extended period of time, you're going to need to be building the vivs while you're paying rent, so need to factor which is cheaper overall. As long as you're confident and learn quickly, should be possible. You can study other reptile shops for ideas on how to set yours up in some respects, but really the best experience is to work in one and see what it actually entails. I think you'll have a lot more success if you work in one fulltime for a couple months before opening your own, unless you've been dealing with buying/selling reptiles for quite some time.

In Cardiff, the DWA comes with the pet shop license, I think it'd be the same for anywhere but could be wrong (we don't do DWA either). You're probably only about an hours drive from us if you wanna take a look. (Reptile Cymru) PM me anytime. I know you're rather close but then, so is Reptile Zone. I'd rather support new shops and get a friendly atmosphere in the region then have misinformation flying around.

5 really? I should get down to bristol more often

and perhaps stop posting at 1am when my OH who actually runs th' shop isn't awake heh

well theres reptile zone, another one in Bristol thats name escapes me, then theres mendip monsters, blagdon water gardens and DPS exotics which are all not far from Bristol.

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yes there are a few around here but the closest 1 to me is right on the other side of town unless you count reptile house which is more like a boarding home. mendip monsters is a great shop and i regularly visit, i was thinking of asking adie for advise but he mite take offence lol. basicly there are no decent reptile shops within a 10 mile radius and as reptiles are my hobby and passion i think i could offer a good service to the people of bristol lol. from mechanic to reptile shop owner sounds good to me.

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Well rather than trying to open a pet shop why not open a shop with the experience in the viv building you have build and sell vivs only all sizes and styles and can do custom jobs for customers who are looking for something specific it would be unique and dont get many actual shops that deal in just vivs

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"Tell me and I will forget, Show me and I will
Remember, involve me and I will understand"-Confucius 450BC

"It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's just f***king hilarious."

I am fairly sure you will need a City and Guilds in pet shop management to be issued with a pet shop license.

I am just starting to study for mine, I think you may also be shocked on how much it costs to get started in your own buisness......I know i was!!!

Good Luck