Dabners, the pet and garden supplies shop on Surrey Street, is to close next month.
Closing down: another part of ‘old Croydon’ will be lost when Dabners pulls down its shutters next month
The family-owned business, which was first established in 1959 and has been trading at the heart of Croydon’s ancient street market for more than half a century, says it will close on August 16, due to rising costs and losses sustained by shoplifting.
Dabners’ closure, like that of Turtles and Allders before it, will be seen as marking another loss of links to “old Croydon”.
Dabners has all but shut down its website. Now, all it contains is this statement from Mark Oram, the company director: “It gives me great sadness to inform you all that the Dabners website will close immediately and the 60-year-old Dabners pet shop in Surrey Street, Croydon, will close its doors for the very last time on August 16, 2025.
“I would like to thank the thousands of customers for their loyalty and support over the last 60 years.
“You will be very much missed by myself and all the staff, but unfortunately with continuous rises in overheads, which were made particularly bad by the present government, and the significant growth in shoplifting, this family independent pet shop will now sadly have to close for good.
“Once again, many thanks to all our loyal customers for their support and my wonderful members of staff for their hard work and enthusiasm over the last 60 years.”
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Another barbershop or shop selling tatty housemate guaranteed. This together with the lies concerning Westfield make it a very sad time.
This is very sad news for a shop that was baked into the unique character of Surrey St. Whilst I didn’t have a direct need for Dabners, I bought a few bits on bobs for my Dad’s 4 cats and was happy to support a quality small business. I fear this will just push more people into their cars to shop at the big box megaliths. along the Purley Way gridlock. I hope something of value replaces it, we’ll see.
Shoplifting undermines the business of a “pet” shop. I imagine the violence that has occurred on Surrey Street in the past year or so hasn’t helped attract clientele too. Tells you all you need to know about the dystopia that has been inflicted upon Croydon.
The only reason why Waterstones hasn’t closed down yet….. because nobody steals books.
I just don’t know how that place is still open? You must be right.
“The reader does not steal and the thief does not read.” – Iraqi proverb.
So, no use having a ‘do not steal’ sign up?
so sad .. one of the few decent independent shops left in Croydon.
I use Dabners regularly. What a shame that another small local business in bidding us farewell. We are all gradually being pushed on-line, where our every purchase can be analysed and our spending habits tracked. I am also one of those sad people who actually enjoys verbal intercourse with other human beings, and the staff at Dabners are all very nice.
A bloody shame.
That’s really annoying I buy cat food in there regularly (and pay for it…). They had a nice wide choice of cat foods.
Sorry to see Dabners go, I try to buy there and purchase online as little as possible these days. The mention of Turtles reminds me what a fantastic shop that was. And Beanos. When the sweetcorn guy closes in the Whitgift that will really be the end..