Grrrowth industry

Booming dog business set to expand

- PAIGE OLDFIELD

A PAIR of pug lovers who joked about opening a pug cafe so they could adopt more dogs are set to launch their third site in the US.

Aaron Carty and his partner Matthew Pieterse, who have a site in Salford, first got the idea of CuppaPug after rescuing their own pooch, Gaston.

Wanting to adopt more pugs, the pair laughed about opening a pug cafe so they could own multiple furry friends and be with them 24/7.

But the couple turned that dream into a reality when a unit became available near their flat in London - going on to open CuppaPug in March 2022.

The cafe became so popular customers were booking it out weeks in advance some returning time and time again to spend time with the couples' seven pugs Gaston, Bruce, Bowzer, Gizmo, Beau, Bloo and Gunn.

The cafe concept sees visitors book themselves in for an hour and play with the resident dogs or simply enjoy their company.