Words and photos by Rosie Redwood.

A NEW pet shop has opened in Wilton.
Lucky Leads is an inspiring shop filled with treats, bandanas, toys, food and even pet-themed scarves and earrings, aiming to provide pets (and their humans) with natural treats and products that won’t cost the earth.
I went to Wilton to meet Michelle Ditton who has set up the shop with her husband Tom.

The shop is so beautifully set out you initially think you are walking into a gift shop. Walls are lined with stylish wooden panels, buckets of delicious looking snacks are neatly set out on wooden shelves, it takes a while to register that everything is for four footed creatures.
Michelle was born and bred in Salisbury, she used to be a bus driver for Reds and then, after her daughter, Rebecca, was born her life took a change:
“I went back to dog walking, when Covid came along, my work continued as I walked the dogs belonging to key workers. Hygiene was a priority, I was handling so many different leads we were worried about spreading infection, so I started making wipe-clean leads.”
These leads are bright and colourful. Michelle makes them on her kitchen table from BioThane, which feels like leather, but has a PVC coating which makes it easy to wipe clean. All Michelle’s clients wanted one of her leads, they were so popular, she decided to open a shop.
It seems that whenever Michelle is faced with a problem, she takes it upon herself to sort it. Unhappy with the dog snacks she was giving the dogs she decided to source her own.
“There are many affordable natural treats out there, and I have sourced as many British producers as I could find,” she said.

Michelle has sourced as many British producers as she has been able to find

There is colourful bunting throughout the shop – I soon discovered that these are locally made bandanas for dogs. Michelle also has locally made little bags for dog snacks:
“They stop people’s pockets from getting crusty from old treats!”.
Michelle and Tom’s enthusiasm is wonderful and they are very keen to listen to the residents and locals of Wilton to hear what they want. “Already we have been asked to stock food for bearded dragons, snakes and specialised turtle food.”
With Christmas around the corner Lucky Leads is full of fun things to give your dog loving friends. Suppliers include Anco, Poppy’s Picnic, Jane & Su for beautiful fabric makes, Rosewood and much more.
Lucky Leads, 14 West Street, SP2 0DF
www.luckyleads.co.uk