“Nala’s Pet Co is named after my nine-year-old German Shepherd, Nala, as the idea for the business started with her. Growing up, my parents had German Shepherd’s, and when it came to getting a dog of my own, there wasn’t much debate over what breed I was going to go for! I did lots of research before getting Nala, looking into the breed and how best to care for her, and the developing needs she would have as she got older.

“A big part of this was looking into how Nala’s diet could impact her quality and longevity of life – a lot of products on the market at the time were almost equivalent to feeding her fast food at every mealtime, and sweets or chocolate for snacks. I learnt a lot about the positive impact an improved diet could have on her moods, cognitive function and overall quality of life, leading to me changing her diet, and in turn wanting to spread the word about the positive changes I saw in Nala to other dog owners.”

“This new outlook on the importance of Nala’s diet led me to looking for products in a market where, at the time, it didn’t seem like many brands had the same focus on nutrition as I did. I also felt that the pet market was missing a safe space in person where you could discuss your dog’s needs with someone who truly wanted the best for them.

“This fuelled my ambition to be the change I wanted to see in the market. I wanted my business to feel different to a traditional pet store and instead have thoughtfully selected products in an environment that felt more boutique and personal – from this, Nala’s Pet Co was born.”

“Once I had the business plan nailed down, it was time to look for a space that reflected the brand I wanted to build. I felt that Royal William Yard was a great fit – it has that premium edge and community feel, and more importantly, lots of pet owners that live nearby and visit.

“Before committing to a space, I wanted to see what the appetite was for our products in the area – and hopefully build a rapport with some future customers – so I started with a stall at the Yard’s Good Food & Craft Market. Here, I started to get a better idea of the needs and wants of pet owners local to the Yard and started to build relationships with a few regulars. It was around this time I was told by the Urban Splash team about the plans to bring Arcade to Brewhouse, and I thought it was a great idea from the start. Not only is it a great alternative to the traditional single occupier for Brewhouse, it’s a creative way of introducing more retail opportunities to the Yard.”

“I stayed in touch with the Urban Splash team on the progress of Arcade as it was being developed and became the first business to move into the space in August 2025. It was challenging at first being the first business to take space in a brand-new retail part of the Yard, but I think we’ve got off to a strong start. I’ve met so many likeminded dog owners who are as passionate as me about doing the very best for their pets. Some dogs now even pull their owners into the building knowing that we’re here, whether it’s for a treat or a fuss!

“I’ve got lots of ideas about growing the brand over the next few years; I’m currently hosting a series of events for specific dog breeds on how best to feed, clothe and care for them, and I hope to expand this. Nala will always be the centre and face of the brand, and I hope to bring more concepts to life as we grow. It’s already been great to see Pebble and Dockside join Arcade, and I hope to see more businesses join in the near future as I think it’s a brilliant retail opportunity, especially for small and independent businesses.”

Find out more about our available spaces at Arcade.