General News 4 PET TRADE WORLD OCTOBER 2009www. pettradeworld. com Strong interest in Acorn Pet Centres as administrators set closing date for off ers Leading Scottish retail chain, Acorn Pet Centres, recently went into administration. The administrators, Tenon Recovery, announced that they had received over 25 enquiries for the business, only a few days after the Rosyth- based company went into administration. Interested parties range from local entrepreneurs to national and specialist retailers. Tenon Recovery has already begun despatching sales packs and will start site visits. Commenting, joint administrator Tom MacLennan, said: " We are greatly encouraged by the level of interest in Acorn Pet Centres, which is an excellent brand with a good reputation. The administration presents a good opportunity for an existing pet trade company to expand, or for an entrepreneur looking to enter the fast- growing pet supplies market. We are continuing to trade the business and would urge interested parties to contact us as soon as possible". The family run company, which was established in 1984 and was headquartered in Rosyth, has 36 stores and employed 243 staff . With a turnover of £ 10m, the business sold pets and pet supplies from stores throughout Scotland. The company which had generated signifi cant profi ts in the years up to January 2008 had suff ered losses over the last 18 months following expansion into a number of new locations. ¦ Free coach travel to BETA International BETA International visitors can travel free by luxury coach to the leading equestrian and country trade exhibition in February. Two coaches, one travelling from the south- west of England and one from the north- east, will pick up passengers en route to the NEC, Birmingham. The service is new for BETA International 2010. Tickets are free and will be allocated on a first- come, first served basis to eligible BETA International visitors. Coach travel is available only on Sunday, 21 February - the first day of the three- day exhibition. The northern coach will depart from Newcastle- upon- Tyne railway station, picking up at Ferrybridge Services on the A1( M)/ M62 junction and Trowell Services on the M1. After leaving Exeter railway station, the southern coach will pick up at Taunton, Gordano Services and Strensham Services on the M5 before arriving at the NEC. Return routes will apply. Coach tickets can be secured by emailing tradefair@ beta- int. com or telephoning Lynn Pattison at BETA International on + 44 ( 0) 1937 582111. ¦ VERM- X the leaders in natural parasite control have launched an exciting and informative new website. With a bright new style, the website is easy to navigate and is also packed with useful information for all pet, small holder and horse owners. The website allows the customer to locate their nearest retailer both in the UK and abroad, read great stories and testimonials about the many animals Verm- X has helped, get regular access to the e- newsletter, visit the Verm- X gallery and even download the Verm- X brochure. A new trade area has been developed on the website allowing stockists to download product images and useful information. To take a look visit www. verm- x. com ¦ Exciting New Website for Verm- X

General News www. pettradeworld. comPET TRADE WORLD OCTOBER 2009 5 New sponsor for BETA International product showcase Classic Showjumps, leading manufacturer of high quality plastic Pro- Jumps and traditional timber fences, is to sponsor the New Product Gallery at BETA International 2010. Warwickshire, UK based Classic Showjumps won a BETA International 2009 Innovation Award for its fl at- packed, retailer-friendly show jumps. The Classic Showjumps New Product Gallery has become a focal point for BETA International buyers seeking fresh lines to stock. Visitors can walk around the three- dimensional gallery to view approximately 80 products in a display showcase created by professional shop- fi tters. Free leafl ets containing product information and exhibitors' stand numbers are available. " As an innovator in its fi eld, Classic Showjumps is the ideal partner for the New Product Gallery," said Claire Thomas, commercial manager of BETA International organiser EMC. " Visitors can look forward to a bright, newly themed area packed with inspirational ideas for successful retailing." BETA International takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, UK on 21- 23 February. Admission is strictly trade only and free on pre- registration at www. beta- int. com ¦ New face at the Pet Care Trust The Pet Care Trust recently welcomed Lisa Pawsey as the new Sales and Membership Manager. Her career has been mainly sales focussed, with over 15 years spent in areas including events, business information and recruitment. '' Lisa has tons of fresh ideas and innovative thinking with a very strong background in sales,'' said Janet Nunn, Chief Executive of the Pet Care Trust. '' With her on board we are looking forward to expanding our member benefi ts and growing the membership base even further.'' ¦ Lisa Pawsey Verm- X Gains Holistic Approval VERM- X the leading name in Natural Parasite Control has received approval from the British Association of Holistic Nutrition and Medicine ( BAHNM). This is the latest achievement for the team at Verm- X who received recognition for Environmental Best Practice by the Government-supported Green Apple Awards in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008 as well as recently being voted Somerset Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. The award recognised their work and success in bringing a natural product into a traditionally chemical and man- made market. As a ' Certifi ed Holistic Product', the Verm- X range will carry the red BAHNM symbol as a mark of approval. Philip Ghazala of Exmoor based Verm- X said: " To be recognised by BAHNM is another feather in our cap. " We are delighted to receive approval for Verm- X as a holistic product range. We have seen enormous growth in the last 12 months with products now in distribution nationwide. " The demand for natural, environmentally friendly products continues to increase and we are delighted to be providing a great range of natural parasite control products that delight our customers." Holistic Vet Nick Thompson said: " As holistic veterinary practitioners, we at Holisticvet Ltd are delighted that Verm- X has been recognised in this way. We advocate the use of Verm- X as part of a total worming strategy for dogs, cats and horses in our care. We feel this is essential to minimise pesticide use from both health and ecological perspectives." Verm- X was fi rst introduced for horses and the range has since grown to meet the demands of pet, poultry and smallholder animals. For further information please contact Verm- X on 0870 850 2313 or visit www. verm- x. com ¦