Cheshire West: Barkin' Bubbles has waiting list for pet hairdoos

Lucy says the ups and downs in hospitality over Covid is what made her realise she needed to extend her skill set. 

In May 2022, the self-confessed dog obsessive took a course in salon management and dog grooming at Four Paws in Leftwich, and started trading as Barkin' Bubbles soon after. 

By June 2023, the 28-year-old's list was growing so fast she left her bar job and went full-time, by now working out of her purpose-built salon in her back garden in Winsford.

Lucy sometimes borrows a client's Labradoodle for competitions because he's just such a good boy! (Image: Lucy Barron)

She only takes one dog  at a time, which minimises their stress, and she always lets her pooch’s parents know half an hour before they’re done so they're not waiting around. 

Now, just 10 months after going full-time, she has a waiting list, has exhibited at Cruft, polled in the top three at national competitions, and last week qualified as a 'pet groomer of the year' finalist at the Animal Star Awards 2024.

Lucy is something of a specialist in Bedlington Terriers as she has two of her own (Image: Lucy Barron)

Lucy says she ‘couldn’t possibly have imaged’ her new business would’ve boomed so quickly, but admits life as a top dog groomer isn’t exactly what she expected.

She said: “I thought I’d just be grooming dogs all day, but the buisness has really taken on a life of its own. It’s all spiralled.

Lucy is a finalist for dog groomer of the year at the Animal Star Awards 2024 (Image: Lucy Barron)

“I’ve been travelling all over the country with my two Bedlington Terriers for competitions; I’ve exhibited at Crufts; and I spend a massive amount of time managing social media.

“I’m even a brand ambassador for a company who make scissors. They were at my salon recently for a full photoshoot.  

“I don’t know why, but I imagined I’d just be dealing with dogs all day, and not people. But I’m lucky to have a great connection with all my clients.

Lucy's 'Asian Fusion' cut is very popular with poodles and poodle crossses (Image: Lucy Barron)

“Running my own business is fantastic though. I love being around dogs and I’ve got four of my own. It doesn’t feel like going to work at all.

“Working in hospitality, I could never have a Friday or Sunday off, but now I can.

“I'm one of these people who can’t say no though, so I usually end up working on my days off, but at least it’s my choice.”

Lucy has five St Bernards on he books (Image: Lucy Barron)

Lucy says one of her most popular styles is called Asian Fusion, which her clients say makes their dogs look like bears.

“It works best on poodles and poodle crosses with tight curly fur. It’s big in Japan, and it makes the dogs look like Anime characters. It’s super popular at the moment.

“They have flared legs, short cropped bodies, and little round muzzles. It makes them look really young, and a bit like teddy bears.”