Pets at Home has revealed that it is looking for up to 20 sites in London, where it plans to open high street branches to cater for a new wave of animal owners in the capital since the first lockdown.

Peter Pritchard, the retailer’s group chief executive, Pets at Home has has seen a “significant step up in pet ownership during the pandemic”.

In the last quarter, Pets at Home launched two “next generation stores” in Camden and Putney. Mr Pritchard said up to 20 more similar sites are planned in London as stores become available.

He said stores will typically be around 4,000sq ft, with products, a groomer and vet on site. Mr Pritchard said: “There is a lot of doom and gloom in retail, but we see a big opportunity in London for local stores.”