AFTER 17 years on the road, mobile dog groomer Rebecca Cartmell has opened a new grooming parlour for pampered pouches in Hove.

Until now, Top Coats Grooming has provided a one-to-one service for customers with nervous or unsociable dogs, or who simply couldn’t make it to a salon.

But the new shop, in Boundary Road, which will run alongside the mobile business, means dog owners can drop their pets in for a wash and blow dry while they get their shopping done.

Rebecca said: “I love being mobile, working in different places every day.

“And I’m lucky that many of my long-time customers are now close friends.

“But I had a difficult year last year in both my personal life and with my van being off the road, and I decided I wanted to finally realise my dreams of opening a salon.

“I looked at a few places but as soon as I saw this salon I knew it was perfect.

I’m right in the hub of Hove and Portslade, just up from Portslade station, and it’s a very friendly area with a strong community feel.

“One of the little boys in my son’s class has an older sister who is training to be a groomer at Plumpton Agricultural College, so she’s been coming in to help out. We make a great team.

“I am working hard to keep my new and existing customers happy by getting out in my van a couple of times a week until I find the ideal groomer join the team.”

Top Coats uses an extensive range of vegan and cruelty free products.