Sophie Woolterton has opened Clip and Dip in Unthank Road, Norwich, after a year-long renovation of the site.

Ms Woolterton, who qualified as a dog groomer in Costessey, has been busy building her client base since after opening the shop on March 16.

Sophie with her dogs Charlie and Lenny (Image: Sonya Duncan)

She said: “It has been a dream of mine since primary school to open my own dog groomers.

“I’ve always liked the idea of being self-employed.

"The shop was very run-down when I got the keys.

"It used to be an off-license.

The site in Unthank Road (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Clip and Dip has opened in Unthank Road (Image: Sonya Duncan)

“The Co-op nearby used to use it for storage.

“My dad enjoys refurbishing buildings.

“He works as an electrician but was happy to help me at the weekends with the renovation.

"It took about a year because he was doing it part-time.

"He had to do a lot of work to make the roof good again and restore the interior."

Now, Ms Woolterton has turned her focus to making the dog parlour "completely stress-free".

Sophie Woolterton qualified as a dog groomer in Costessey (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The shop will be 'relaxed' for customers (Image: Sonya Duncan)

She said: “I have been loving meeting new customers and dogs.

“I have two dogs, a Whippet and a Vizsla.

“I want the shop to be a relaxed environment.

“All my family have been so supportive, they have been brilliant."

Ms Woolterton took a leap of faith to start the business after working at a dog groomers in Dereham for a year.

“My boss had 14 years of experience and I learnt so much" she said.

"Currently I live in the Golden Triangle so the shop is in the perfect location" she added.

© Eastern Daily Press