A PLAYSCHOOL for dogs has opened in Portishead.

Having grown up around dogs and worked with their parents who run boarding kennels, brothers Dean and Andy Wilkinson always knew their long-term careers lay in animal care.

Earlier this year they were joined by friend Darren Tarpey to form their own company, A Dogs Day Out, which has recently opened its first centre in Portishead’s Old Mill Road.

The organisation provides friendly pet care on an adhoc basis in a pen-free environment, Monday to Friday between 7am-7pm. There is a dogs’ TV lounge, a rest area and play areas, complete with toys which include slides and tunnels.

Andy said: “This kind of business is big in the US and is just taking off in the UK. People can use our facilities on a one-off occasion for half a day or five days a week. There is always a member of staff with the dogs and a screen in the reception area live streams the dogs’ activities so that owners and visitors can view the facilities without disturbing the animals.”

An assessment is required when a dog is registered but after that the service is available to dog owners whenever they need it.

A grooming parlour is currently being added to the centre, which will open in November and in the New Year a training school will open upstairs.