Poorly pets will have a new £350,000 practice to be treated at after a veterinary firm announced plans to relocate.

Wilson Vets, which has branches in Newton Aycliffe, Spennymoor and an out-of-hours practice in Bishop Auckland has unveiled plans to open a new practice in Newton Aycliffe to replace their current site in the town.

The practice plans to invest £350,000 transforming an empty shop unit next to the Costa on Greenwell Road, opposite the Magistrates Court.

Bosses say the new site will be open in May and include hi-tech digital X-ray and ultrasound equipment, a dedicated lab and operating theatre.

It will also boast separate dog and cat wards and areas in the waiting room to “reduce feline anxiety”.

Darlington and Stockton Times: (L-R) Tracy Frost, veterinary nurse team leader, with Claire Bake, practice manager, and Gayle Clennell, receptionist, at the site of Wilson Vets’ new branch in Greenwell Road, Newton Aycliffe.(L-R) Tracy Frost, veterinary nurse team leader, with Claire Bake, practice manager, and Gayle Clennell, receptionist, at the site of Wilson Vets’ new branch in Greenwell Road, Newton Aycliffe. (Image: PR)

Work is already underway in the empty unit with internal walls, electrics and utilities being fitted out.

Practice manager Claire Bake said: “It is a new building almost in the centre of town, with a glass front so it is nice and light, and there is parking available. 

“The team is excited as, after such a long search, it will be great to finally move in. We are getting more space. The reception will be bigger so there will be designated cat and dog waiting areas. We will have three consulting rooms compared with two now, and they will also be bigger.

“We will also have a separate pharmacy, dog and cat wards, and a team break room which we don’t have at the moment so it will be lovely to have somewhere to go and relax. With the new premises we have room to grow. With three consulting rooms we could do more vet consulting and we will be able to expand our nurse consulting.”

The practice will relocate from its current site on Neville Parade in Newton Aycliffe, which will remain open until work on the new site is completed.

The investment is being funded by Vet Partners, which owns more than 160 veterinary practices across the UK including Wilson Vets.