A NORTH Wales pet shop chain will continue to operate during the Coronavirus lockdown.

Farm & PetPlace, which has stores in Abergele, Ruthin, Llangefni and Mold has been given exempt status to sell essential supplies to pet owners.

Due to their ongoing trading, the company has urged shoppers to refrain from panic buying and while still open, hours have been reduced with additional customer and staff distancing policies in place within stores.

Sion Pritchard, managing director of PetPlace said: "We are encouraging customers not to buy in bulk because there has been an increase in demand which has led to some lines running out of stock. We are working with our suppliers to increase numbers so we can continue to supply customers.

"We are also encouraging customers to please use our 'Click and Collect' service on the website or call our sales team who can process these orders for the relevant store.

"Alternatively, customers can place an order on the website to be delivered by our couriers, who have also introduced measures such as signature-free deliveries to meet guidelines on safety and social distancing.

"We do have slight delays in stock arriving and being shipped but are introducing additional shifts to close that gap and meet demand.

"There are plans in place that can be actioned immediately if we feel that the stores need to become Click and Collect points only, to help protect our teams and customers.

"We would like to say a massive thank you to our whole team who have been 100 percent dedicated to ensuring we can provide food and supplies for the pets of North Wales and beyond. We will do our very best in continuing this service while it is safe to do so or until we are instructed otherwise."

"If anyone has any questions or needs more information please call 01492 542662 - our sales line opening times have been extended outside of normal office hours - or visit the website: farmandpetplace.co.uk. We will also be providing regular updates on our social media channels."