Rochdale vet practice embarks on a fresh chapter with £680,000 makeover and new branch

A Rochdale veterinary practice is embarking on a major new chapter with a £680,000 makeover and the opening of a new branch.

Extensive refurbishment work at Valentine’s Vets in Manchester Road, Castleton, will give the building a facelift and offer improved facilities for pet owners.

The practice has also formally welcomed Jackson and Nuttall Vets as Valentine’s Vets’ new Middleton branch following several months of close collaboration between both teams.

The two practices, which are about three miles apart have both been part of their communities since the 1980s and care for pets across Rochdale and the surrounding areas of Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

Clients will still see the same familiar faces but now have the option of visiting either branch. They will also benefit from more appointment times and additional services once the renovation of Valentine’s purpose-built Castleton site is complete.

The work is expected to start in March and take up to 20 weeks. As well as a revamp and new layout, the improvements will include:

• Separate cat and dog waiting areas and kennels to keep cats calm
• Modern consulting rooms
• Two operating theatres
• A dedicated X-ray and ultrasound suite
• Dedicated dental suite
• Laboratory area
• Full isolation facilities

The veterinary team will continue to see pets throughout the works at the Castleton branch which has its own large car park, but clients also have the option to visit the branch in Manchester New Road, Middleton, for consultations and appointments. The renovation is being funded by VetPartners, which owns some of the UK’s most respected and trusted veterinary practices, including Valentine’s Vets and Jackson and Nuttall.

 

 

Practice manager Lindsay Bowden and clinical nursing manager Ian Shoreman will jointly lead both branches.

Lindsay said: “Having worked together closely for some time now, we have already forged a strong working relationship. Joining forces officially with a team that has the same values, with high-quality pet care at its core, is great news for the practice.

“This move means both branches have more support and a stronger team which will be a huge benefit when holidays are taken or if there’s any sick leave.

“Clients will have additional consult slots and a choice of branch. With the renovation at Castleton, our waiting room there will be much bigger, we will have a separate cat and dog waiting area and separate kennels on opposite sides of the building to keep cats calm and relaxed.

“At the moment we have one operating theatre; with the renovation we will have two. Dental care and X-rays are currently done in the prep area but we will have an additional prep area and dedicated dental and X-ray suites, plus an in-house laboratory and full isolation facilities.”

The Middleton branch is open from 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday. Outside opening hours, clients’ calls are being diverted to the Castleton branch which is open from 8.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 12pm on Saturday.

Armac Veterinary Group will continue to provide the out of hours coverage. For clients whose pet is part of Valentine’s Vets’ Pet Health Plan, their membership will continue uninterrupted.