New Dereham independent vets to open in Toftwood this autumn

Flo Scott is currently kitting out a building and finalising the team for Dereham Vets, which is set to open this autumn in Toftwood.

She is being supported by Westover Vets in opening the business, which will operate next to Toftwood Garden Centre, where Randells Garden Machinery was before it burned down in 2019.

The Dereham Vets director said: “I had always wanted to be a vet and having worked in Norfolk for the last decade, I feel I’m ready for the challenge of opening a new independent practice.

“We are starting with an enthusiastic team of six including vets, nurses and support staff, all bringing a wealth of experience from the local area.

“We’re ordering state-of-the-art equipment to provide the best care possible and create a welcoming environment for our clients and their animals.”

The 32-year-old qualified as a vet from Nottingham University and has worked in Swaffham and Watton.

Tom Hume, a director of Westover Vets

She is hoping to set herself apart from other vets - such as the same staff providing out-of-hours services on weekends and evenings, something she believes will give clients peace of mind.

With the new practice being supported by Westover Vets, Tom Hume, one of its directors added: “Having independent vets benefits the local community in a number of ways and is good for the local economy.

"But the main thing is there is someone in the building who owns and runs the business and is able to make decisions and react to changing situations as needed.

“Animals are such an emotive part of the family that people value a real human relationship with their vets, that is why being independent is so important in my opinion.”

You can follow the vet's journey to its opening on its Facebook and Instagram