STALYBRIDGE is now home to a business that turns dogs into su-paw-stars, when really it can be called child’s play.
For Lucy Bailey is living a dream she has held since she was a kid, working with animals.
Bubble and Squeak Dog Spa has taken on one of the new commercial units that have been created on Grosvenor Street.
And if the welcome the owner has had in the town is anything to go by, she will be just fine.

So will the dogs she works on, who have already found plenty to keep their eyes occupied through the business’ frontage.
As well as the usual grooming, Bubble and Squeak offers that bit more – fancy treating your pet to a facial?
And Lucy is already thinking she has made the right move.
“I’ve been dog grooming since I was 14. I volunteered at a dog groomer’s after school, and I’ve stuck with it ever since,” she said.

“From being a little kid, I’ve been like, ‘I just want to work with dogs.’ My family had dogs when I was a young kid and I got my first when I was 11-years-old, I used to practice on it.
“It was a cocker spaniel – he was really chilled but when you’re learning to groom, it was so hard. Luckily, I got better though.
“I did my training at an independent salon – they trained me on the job – then I went to Pets at Home and was there for six years, managing the salon.
“I always wanted to set up on my own, I just didn’t believe that I could. My boyfriend, though, built me the table I have now, so that pushed me.

“I was travelling an hour-and-a-half to work each day for six or seven years, so I focused on what I want to do.
“And I’ve always liked Stalybridge. It’s a really nice place and everyone’s been really welcoming. I’ve never felt as welcomed somewhere. Even though I work on my own, I know I can just nip somewhere to have a chat.”
Lucy establishing Bubble and Squeak in Stalybridge has already been met with a chorus of approval.
And if anything, the quieter the premises is, the better. Howling animals does not make a relaxing environment, for dogs or those who work there.
A session at Bubble and Squeak can also be much more than just a haircut as Lucy added: “Dogs can have a facial – with an even better quality product that gets all the tear staining off – the gunk around their eyes, a breath freshener and there’s a mud spa for de-shedding dogs, which acts like a mud mask and gets a lot of the dead hair out.
“We can do dogs from a chihuahua to a Newfoundland Terrier, anything, and I’ve found they’re better since I worked on my own.
“I’ve found they’re a lot calmer and when owners have said they’ve had a difficult experience before, the dog’s been fine. I think they like watching out of the window too.
“It’s a much calmer environment. I wanted somewhere simple and clean but somewhere people would want to come into and have a chat.”
Now dogs are flocking in, Lucy already has her eyes on another part of the pet market.
“I am looking at doing cat grooming too with another groomer in the area,” she told The Correspondent.
“Not many places do that. I did it years ago and I kind of miss it now, I want something for everyone.”
Prices at Bubble and Squeak largely vary in the size of the dog – for example, a cocker spaniel would get two washes with shampoos, dried, their hair cut, nails clipped and ears cleaned for £45.
Breeds like French bulldogs also get a de-shedding included for £30-£35.
Bubble and Squeak Dog Spa is open from 8am until 4pm Tuesday-Saturday. Anyone wishing to book an appointment can do so by calling or messaging Lucy on 07900 755996 or online at https://tinyurl.com/y59exs6c.
Alternatively, you can message through the company’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557288099729.