Farm vets on the move with £80,000 loan

Welshpool based Camlas Farm Vets has relocated to larger premises thanks to an £80,000 Development Bank of Wales loan.

Camlas Farm Vets is an independent, dedicated farm animal veterinary practice. Working with commercial farms and smallholders, it provides high quality services and support to clients in the Powys and Shropshire area.

The practice is run by Amy McKie, who has worked at the practice since qualifying as a vet in 2009 with her co-partners, Fflur and Iolo, also qualified vets. They are passionate about treating animals and work alongside farmers to get the best from their livestock and farming enterprises.

They had been operating from the original premises for six years. It was functional but small, with no real way to increase capacity and accommodate additional support staff needed as the business grew.

Amy said: “The new premises is still very accessible and near the local livestock market. We have renovated a bungalow for commercial use. Whilst we usually treat the animals offsite, during the lambing season it’s common for farmers to bring ewes with lambing difficulties to the practice. One of the things we are using the loan for is to convert one of the rooms into an operating theatre.”

The loan will also secure nine jobs in the company.

Amy added: “The loan from the Development Bank of Wales has been hugely important. Having the loan structured to our business needs has enabled us to relocate, safeguard existing jobs and plan for future growth.

“We couldn’t believe how easy it was working with Chris and the Development Bank.  The quick and simple process has given us reassurance and confidence to grow.

Chris Hayward, Investment Executive at Development Bank of Wales, said: “Amy, Fflur and Iolo are hugely passionate about their business. The practice services customers on the Welsh border, and we recognised this loan was key for them to keep up with demand.”

The funding came from the Wales Business Fund which is part-funded by the ERDF, through the Welsh Government. It was created specifically to support businesses with fewer than 250 employees based in Wales and those willing to move here.