May 7 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A DOG-mad couple hope to hit a £1m turnover with their petwear business after securing a lucrative distribution deal and moving into their first shop premises.

Debbie and Mark Nelson are looking to expand Sunderland-based Charlie & Ben Designer Petwear after agreeing with Chinese manufacturer IS PET to sell its products across mainland Europe. The deal, which doubles the firm’s range of clothes to 25, comes after the couple moved into their first store in the Gateshead MetroCentre, where they previously operated from a small market stall.

The couple now believe they can grow their £130,000 turnover to £1m in five years and hope to open a second site specialising in pet grooming and crèche services by next year.

The petwear company received celebrity endorsement last year at the annual Clothes Show Live event at Birmingham’s NEC arena, with Peaches Geldof, daughter of famous song writer and political activist Bob Geldof, and glamour model Nicola T both picking up clothes for their pristine pooches.

Debbie said: “Things have really taken off for the company in recent months and this deal with IS PET is going to be huge for us. I think dressing pets up has always been popular. However, this has usually been in the form of drab tartan coats.

“We’re just taking it to the next level and people have responded well.”

The firm, which was set up two years ago, sells everything from bath robes and denim skirts for dogs to T-shirts for cats.

It also sells a wide range of accessories, with its most expensive item being an £80 dog bowl.

The couple are also planning to attend annual pet exhibition Interzoo, which is to be held in Nuremberg, Germany between May 21-25, which will include 1,400 pet supply exhibitors from more than 50 countries.

Mark said: “We are looking to use the event to extend our European market even more and, with our extended range, I’m confident that the company will make an impression.

“Also, our new store grows our selling space by 10 times and is in a prominent position in the antiques village.

“The business seems to be growing all the time as our products grow in popularity.”