Pictured above: Jerry, the pet of vet surgeon Sally Potter meets (from left) Simon Griffiths, of Upward Developments, Jalil Khan, of Vets4Pets, and Nick Drury, of Upward Developments, at the new Vets4Pets veterinary practice in Shelfield, Walsall

Animal lovers and their pets in the West Midlands are enjoying a first-class vets' service after two ambitious companies joined forces to develop a new, purpose-built veterinary practice.

Upward Developments (West Midlands) constructed the impressive new practice for Vets4Pets - a fast-growing and leading small animal veterinary group bringing a new concept in veterinary practice to the UK - on a prominent site at the junction of Spring Road and Lichfield Road in Shelfield, Walsall.

Upward Developments director Simon Griffiths said the project demonstrated the company's determination to defy the current tough economic conditions by continuing to deliver schemes that help to regenerate areas and create jobs.

Simon said: "We are excited to be working alongside Vets4Pets as it seeks to expand its presence across the Midlands region. Our companies have a lot in common as we are both relatively young with ambitions to grow by delivering high class developments and facilities.

"The new Vets4Pets practice at Shelfield is very prominent on the junction of Spring Road and Lichfield Road and is a great example of construction and development defying the economic conditions."

Nick Drury, managing director at Upward Developments, said: "The land was acquired by Midland Properties (West Midlands) Ltd and later developed by Upward Developments and let to Vets4Pets for a term of 20 years, providing a boost for local construction labour as well as creating seven new permanent local jobs within the veterinary surgery. There are signs of recovery in the property industry, in particular on smaller scale new build roadside projects, and Upward Developments presently has a number of tenant requirements for similar properties to the site in Shelfield within the West Midlands."

Jalil Khan, business development director at Vets4Pets, said: "Vets4Pets have grown to 70 practices nationwide, with plans to grow well beyond 100 practices over the next two years. We want to work with dynamic developers who build to the high standards we set for our practices. In Upward Developments we have found a partner who meets our demanding expectations. The quality of the development in Shelfield, Walsall, ranks amongst the highest within our portfolio and working with Upward Developments to deliver this impressive facility has been an absolute pleasure."

Vet surgeon and partner Sally Potter, who owns and runs the new practice, said: "My new practice has exceeded all of my expectations. The building is fantastic and provides ideal accommodation and facilities to meet the exacting requirements of a busy modern veterinary practice, enabling me to offer my clients and their pets the highest quality of service."

Vets4Pets is a new concept in small animal veterinary practice, providing unrivalled service and a commitment to the very best in pet care through unique, joint-venture partnerships with experienced veterinary surgeons. All of its centres are extensively equipped with modern facilities and provide spacious accommodation with excellent on-site parking.

Upward Developments, a property development and investment company based in Bloxwich near Walsall, was established just over a year ago. It has many projects underway and is busy working on a variety of planning applications for schemes across the West Midlands at locations including Solihull, Lye, Walsall and Wolverhampton. 

Simon added: "We hope to commence construction activities on these applications later in the year, bringing a boost to local construction labour as well as providing the potential for new local jobs in the proposed new commercial units."