I hope my new Preston shop becomes a top North West destination - there's nothing else like it

Grinning Gecko first opened on Highfield Road in Blackpool in 2016, with Mal Moutrey, Diane Jennings and her son Alex teaming up to launch the ethical reptiles business.

In the hands of Luke Jarvis for the past two years, the specialist store continues to pride itself on providing ‘outstanding care, advice and friendship’ for those who care for the likes of geckos and other reptiles.

But, the Blackpool venue has now closed its doors, as it prepares for a big move to new premises in Preston.

Owner Luke lives in Preston and said the change will make his business more accessible to towns and cities across the North West. He told the LEP that the shop’s customer base has “increased exponentially” and he wanted to “add more choice to our already impressive selection of animals”.

The move comes as Grinning Gecko reaches the end of its ten-year lease on Highfield Road, prompting Luke to take the plunge and choose Fylde Road as his new location.

To highlight the move, the business has been renamed Preston Exotic Animals and will also offer a range of exotic birds.

Luke, 42, said the venture “isn’t all about making money”, with animals and their welfare always being the top priority. He explained: “It’s about helping customers learn about and choose the perfect addition to their family, we don’t pressure customers and we’re not all about the sale.”

He added that Preston doesn’t have any other exotic specialist stores, noting: “I hope the new store with its new addition of exotic birds becomes the North West’s destination exotic store and I can continue to educate the public on the amazing hobby of exotic keeping.”

Preston Exotic Pets will offer ‘a carefully selected range of exotic pets alongside everything needed to care for them properly’ and is scheduled to open on Monday, March 2.