New shop opens at Bristol's Wapping Wharf today

A new artisan pet shop is set to open today (Wednesday, May 1) at Bristol's Wapping Wharf. Named Dogs on the Docks, it will offer a mixture of luxury pet brands and everyday items sourced by owner Marcus Fox, offering what he says he has always struggled to find outside of London.

Marcus, who owns four dogs of his own and has worked in the pet trade for the past five years, says he is no stranger to pet shops. He felt now would be the perfect time to open up his own store, in which he can 'encapsulate everything he loves'.

Marcus and his partner walk the docks every weekend without fail and say they always seem to end up in Wapping Wharf. They were attracted to the community and independent vibe, dubbing it the 'heartbeat of Bristol' and therefore decided they wanted to be a part of it.

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Marcus said: “My dogs are my world, and also proper little posers (which if I’m honest I’ve encouraged) and with so many amazing brands out there it will give me so much pleasure to bring them all together to the people of Bristol.

"This has been a dream of mine for such a long time and to have it come to life means more than words. I love dogs and their owners alike as dog people are my people.

"I hope to be an integral part of the Wapping Wharf community serving residents and tourists alike. A friendly face and always ready to help with all your pet needs.”

Dogs on the Docks, which can be found at Cargo 2, will offer pet owners a selection of products that Marcus says will 'make the journey of owning a pet a little more colourful'. There will be everything from collars and leads, to toys and accessories, and his own bespoke range of dog and cat foods, and Marcus hopes through his shop he can create a 'community of dogs on the docks'.

Speaking about the newest addition to the Wapping Wharf community, Stuart Hatton, managing director at Umberslade said: "Wapping Wharf is such a popular destination for dog walkers and we want to be as dog friendly as possible, so it just makes sense to have Marcus and his pet shop with us. We’ve been crying out for him! I am very excited to see what he’s got in store for us.”

Dogs on the Docks will be soft launching on Wednesday May 1, 2024, and be open Monday to Saturday (10am to 6pm) and Sunday (11am to 4pm) thereafter. Find the shop at Unit 5 Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf, Bristol, BS1 6ZA.