Stalbridge hotel and country club for dogs to develop business

Doggy daycare and boarding business Humphrey & Bo in Stalbridge, Dorset, has won planning permission that will enable it to improve its care provision.

The application is for a change of use to an outbuilding and the use of the main house at Deacons Mill, Thornhill, which has been run as a dog hotel for several years.

The main building, which dates from the 17th century and is grade 2 listed, is set in large gardens with a number of outbuildings. The site is located in open country 1.5km south of Stalbridge and 10km east of Sherborne.

A planning agent told Dorset Council that a licence for the premises, trading as Humphrey & Bo, applied to 15 boarding dogs and 20 daycare dogs.

The agent said: “The business is currently in the process and applying for a new licence and is taking the opportunity to improve the care provision at the site by separating out daycare into an outbuilding.”

The business currently employs five members of staff and says this is likely to increase as the business develops.