A POPULAR pet store which faced administration putting jobs at threat, has been saved after being purchased by new owners.

Just for Pets which has stores in Worcester, Droitwich, Malvern and Evesham filed a notice to appoint administrators, but its future was secured in a deal brokered on October 10 after newly formed company PSR Trading Limited - a sister company to the established pet sector business Pedigree Wholesale - bought them out.

The firm has reassured staff at its stores at Shrub Hill Retail Park, Worcester, Three Counties Retail Park in Malvern and Queen Street, Droitwich, there will be no job losses.

At the Shrub Hill store 10 fulltime and part-time staff are employed.

Steve Brown, MD of Pedigree Wholesale, active in the pet sector for over 45 years, said: “On hearing that the future of Just for Pets was under threat Pedigree Wholesale felt we could play a role in using our pet business expertise to secure a new future for Just for Pets in Worcestershire.

"We know Just for Pets has a great reputation for offering outstanding customer service and has developed a loyal customer base so we are pleased that Pedigree Wholesale can now create a future for the business and the brand.

“The addition of Just for Pets to the Pedigree Wholesale family reinforces our commitment to investing and driving innovation within the pet sector which we believe will support the interests of all who care about maintaining a great choice of pet products for pet lovers.”

Just for Pets will remain open in 18 locations, including in Kidderminster and the Swan Lane store in Evesham and the deal means nearly 200 staff from its operations will be kept on.

However as part of the deal, a small number of stores will be closed and will no longer be part of the Just for Pets store network.

This includes the Bessie & Boo store in Evesham which was part of the Just for Pets business but now employees based at that store have been issued with redundancy notices by the administrator.