Hilltop Doggy Daycare

Advert ref 1361CGY

An outstanding opportunity has arisen to acquire Hilltop Doggy Daycare, one of Scotland’s largest and most established purpose-built doggy daycare operations. Set across 7.26 acres in the Scottish Borders, Hilltop has been carefully built from the ground up into a highly regarded, operationally robust business, generating strong and growing revenue from a loyal, contracted customer base.

The business operates from a purpose-built, entirely off-grid facility comprising a 1,800 sqft heated doggy barn, five dog-proof activity fields – including a sensory garden and parkour course, a private grassland walk, and a dedicated Run Free partnership field generating passive rental income. Currently licensed for 35 dogs per day, with the opportunity to increase this to at least 50 pending approval from the local authority, Hilltop has the physical capacity and operational infrastructure to support continued growth.

With circa 110 enrolled dogs, a contracted direct-debit revenue model and an experienced four-person team running the business day-to-day, Hilltop offers a buyer immediate access to a profitable, independently functioning platform. In just two years of trading, the business has grown revenue by 142% and maintained a 100% five-star customer rating across all platforms.

The opportunity is further distinguished by Hilltop’s strategic positioning: the site sits directly adjacent to the planned first Scottish site of Center Parcs – a £450m development expected to attract 250,000 visitors per year and create 1,200 permanent jobs. The current owners have already held direct meetings with the Center Parcs’ senior management team, who have expressed a strong desire to work closely with Hilltop. This proximity represents a transformational commercial opportunity for a new owner to secure well in advance of opening.

Key Features

Premises Details

Hilltop operates from Newlands Farm in the Scottish Borders; a rural site between Denholm and Lilliesleaf, near Hawick – developed purpose-built for the business.

Doggy Barn
A 1,800 sqft heated indoor barn running entirely off-grid via a 5kW solar system and sunken LPG tank. The open-plan interior is fitted with raised bunkers, dog beds, wipeable hygiene board and heavy-duty non-slip flooring. A dedicated rest room with individual crates allows for controlled feeding and quiet time. A fully fitted kitchen and two additional rooms divided by partition walls allow flexible small-group management throughout the day. Exterior features designated customer parking, a clear pick-up and drop-off zone, and a separate compound for Hilltop’s branded vans.

Five Dog-Proof Activity Fields
Three of the five fields have been recently re-fenced. Each is equipped with dedicated enrichment features including a sensory garden (sand pits, bark pits, dog-friendly herbs, seasonal paddling pools, tunnels), a parkour field with bespoke agility equipment, and open fields with raised adventure platforms, wet-weather huts and bark-filled tyre pits. The variety across fields provides genuine stimulation throughout the day.

Private Grassland Walk
A perimeter walk recently planted with 1,500 native trees offering unspoilt views of the Minto Hills – an additional daily exercise experience for dogs at Hilltop.

Run Free Partnership
The largest rear field is leased out of hours via Run Free, Scotland’s largest collection of dog-walking fields, generating additional passive income for the business.

Signage & Exterior
Large-format road signage visible from the main road, branded mesh banners adjacent to the car park, and full van livery ensure strong visibility in the local area and create a professional first impression for customers.

Reason For Selling

The vendors are now looking to realise the value they have created and pass the business on to a new owner with the drive and ambition to see it grow and thrive. With other business interests now commanding their focus, the time is right to find the right steward for what Hilltop has become and for what it has the potential to be.

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