Andrew Phillips

A new pet store called Critters is set to open in Lincoln this weekend, catering for a whole manner of small furries.

The pet boutique, which is situated between LA Reptiles and Woof Diamonds on St Martins Lane, is the result of a partnership between the two stores.

Critters will officially open its doors on August 30 at 10am, selling small mammals as well as a a variety of homes, food, bedding and accessories.

The opening of the new store comes from a unique partnership between the owners of LA Reptiles and Woof Diamonds.

Suzie Barkworth, owner of Woof Diamonds explains: “LA Reptiles helped me set up my shop. We got talking and understood there was a need for the smaller animals between our shops.

“My husband originally had his skate shop between the two stores, but he closed his shop so we could have our new pet shop between. There was also a lot of input from a private investor, who’s helped from start to finish.”

The stores on St Martins Lane can now cover all pet needs. For reptiles, there’s have LA Reptiles, dogs and cats are catered for by Woof Diamonds and for smaller pets in between there is now Critters.

“You have everything you need on one street but it’s not your traditional line of pet shops, everything has been built and tailored for the specific animals.”

“Critters was built from scratch, each enclosure has been carefully designed to provide a clean and spacious environment for each species of small mammal.”

Liam Benson, owner of LA Reptiles, explains that the shops are more then just your average pet stores.

He said: “We’re all passionate about animals and its our lives, we’re here to help and give advice. Whatever we can do to help be it looking after them, feeding them or anything else we’re always happy to help.”

“Customer service does not cease when money is exchanged and the animal leaves, it continues for as long as you and your pet need it.”

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) have revamped a ward in Lincoln County Hospital to create a better environment for patients with dementia.

Burton Ward has undergone a £180,000 redevelopment to reduce patients’ anxiety and encourage better independence for people with dementia.

The hospital has gone through several changes in order to create a better environment, including:

• The number of beds per bay have been reduced from six to four, to provide patients who wander more space to walk around
• Hand rails and bay doors have been painted brightly, to help patients find their way around the ward
• Bays now have dementia-friendly clocks, which tell the patient whether it is morning, afternoon or night
• All bathroom and toilet doors now have larger picture signs on them, to allow patients to identify them easily
• All showers in the en suite bathrooms now have walk in wet rooms, to make it easier for patients with reduced mobility to shower
• Doors that aren’t for patients have been painted the same colour as the walls, so that they “fade away”
• Sounds, including that from buzzers, phones and nurse call systems, are kept to the minimum, so they don’t distress patients

Ward Sister Elaine Saunders said: “We know that hospitals can be particularly distressing for people with dementia and they often need extra care and support. That is why we have made simple changes to the environment on our ward to make a big difference to our patients with dementia.

“The secret is all in the decor. For example our flooring is non slip and non shiny as people with dementia could think shiny floors are wet and changes in flooring colour as something they need to step over.”

It’s hoped that development can soon start on a dementia-friendly garden too for patients to access.

Pauleen Pratt, Interim Chief Nurse added: “Improving the environment on our wards so it is more accessible for our patients with dementia is a further step in our organisation’s overall dementia strategy.

“We are all really proud of the work the team have led on Burton ward to benefit our patients.”