Marks Tey Discount Petfoods

Marks Tey Discount Petfoods is a proud family-owned business based in Colchester, Essex. Established in 1987 by Brian and Michael Cooke (our grandfather and his brother), the shop has now seen three generations of family involvement over its 38-year history. We’ve always prided ourselves on offering top brands and quality pet products at the best possible prices, passing on our discounts to customers so they can care for their pets without compromise.

As a long-standing independent retailer, we were genuinely grateful to see a national day dedicated to celebrating the pet industry – from small, family-run stores like ours to larger independents across the country. National Pet Shop Day gave us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate what we love doing and to connect with our community in a really positive way.

How We Celebrated

We went all out for National Pet Shop Day this year, hosting a full day of activities that brought customers, families, and pets together. Our event included a raffle, a children’s colouring competition, and a charity cake sale, as well as a chance for visitors to meet some friendly guinea pigs, tortoises, and even snakes, thanks to the support of our friend Martin Clarke.

We handed out goody bags and free samples throughout the day, which proved a big hit, and even had a pet photographer in-store capturing special moments for customers and their pets. All profits from the event went to our chosen charity East Anglian Children’s Hospice, adding an extra sense of purpose to the celebrations.

The shop was buzzing with energy, and it was lovely to see both familiar faces and new visitors who came along especially for the event. The atmosphere was warm, lively, and full of community spirit – exactly what we think National Pet Shop Day is all about.

Our Plans for 2026

We’d absolutely love to get involved again in 2026. This year’s celebration was a huge success and reminded us just how much our customers value what we do. Next time, we plan to start promoting the event earlier and advertise more widely to attract even greater footfall. With plenty of inspiration from this year’s success, we’re already looking forward to planning the next one.

Final Thoughts

National Pet Shop Day was a truly rewarding experience for everyone at Marks Tey Discount Petfoods. It gave us the chance to celebrate our shared passion for pets, bring our community together, and raise funds for a good cause at the same time. The event materials Johnson’s provided helped us to add to the sense of occasion and supported us in creating a day to remember.

We came away feeling proud of our team, grateful for our customers, and inspired to keep celebrating everything that makes independent pet shops so special.