Jasper’s Tasty Treats moving to Blackwellgate, Darlington

Ruth Middleton is the owner of Jasper’s Tasty Treats which closed its stall last weekend in the Indoor Market. She will officially open her new store on Friday (May 1).

Dog lover Ruth launched the business in memory of her late beagle Jasper.

Jasper, Ruth's late Beagle (Image: RUTH MIDDLETON)

The store sells a wide range of grain free 100 per cent natural dog treats, food and natural supplements.

Speaking about the move, she said: “I am beyond excited for the move. I literally cannot wait; I am having sleepless nights thinking about it.

“I have never done anything like this before. The shop was refitted last week, and it is looking amazing. It has that country, boutique feel to it.

“I have two sides to the to the store, one is Jasper’s Tasty Treats, the other is my other business called Pretty Paws which is my own designs of harnesses, collars, leads, dog coats, beds and toys.”

The shop was refitted last week (Image: RUTH MIDDLETON)

There will also be a cat corner in the new shop, with Ruth saying her clients are really excited.

“I already have regulars; little Milo comes every Saturday morning for his bag of treats,” she said.

“I want to make it boutique-y and special.”

The shop opens on Friday, May 1 (Image: RUTH MIDDLETON)

“A lot of the shops on Grange Road are high-end, and I have noticed my clients want quality not quantity.”

However, Ruth was critical of Darlington Indoor Market, saying there was a “lack of interest”.

She said: “The first few months were great; I was really busy.

“I came back after Christmas, and everybody had left the market. My regulars were still coming, but I was getting people coming in saying, ‘I didn’t even know you were here’.

Ruth said she is "beyond excited" to make the move (Image: RUTH MIDDLETON)

“The market didn’t really help me because I asked them if I could have another retail unit next door and they said I couldn’t because there was too much dog stuff going on.

“Over the last four months, there has just been a lack of interest from the market and advertising in terms of helping me.”

Ruth said the move to Blackwellgate “made sense” and has allowed her to expand her business even more.

Market Asset Management, who operate Darlington Indoor Market, has been approached for comment.