Popular dog bakery business closes its doors

Popular dog bakery business closes its doors

A hugely popular dog bakery in Newtownabbey offering natural pet treats has closed its doors after six years.

When sisters Gemma Ingram and Elaine McIvor set up Murphy’s Barkery, they wanted to ensure the treats their own dogs enjoyed did not contain the additives and colourings favoured by many big pet food companies.

The idea started as a hobby but proved hugely popular with the handmade and decorated products becoming so sought after that demand outstripped their time. The sisters told Belfast Live they are now on different career paths which wouldn’t have been possible without the Barkery.

Gemma said:  “We started Murphy’s with a few dog biscuits baked in an ordinary oven and tried by our dogs, then our friends’ dogs and then we popped to a car boot sale and sold some there.

“And demand grew incredibly by word of mouth and suddenly we needed to create a commercial kitchen and we got a fantastic packaging company on board.

“We honestly couldn’t believe the demand for our baked dog treats, from vets to dog friendly hotels and Airbnbs, shops and cafes, restaurants and gift shops and of course all the individuals who joined us for one-off cakes and those who joined us and stayed with us for a special date.”

Murphy’s Barkery opened in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim in 2015, inspired by Elaine’s dog .

The treats were approved by vets and lab-tested, and often hand delivered to their customers.

In a statement on social media, they said: ‘To all our amazing customers over the past number of years we want to thank you. Thankyou for your custom, the friendships and memories. Thank you for your support and encouragement. Thank you for staying with us until the end. Today we have made a much difficult yet right decision to close up Murphy’s Barkery.”

And they revealed that although the bakery was flourishing, they had both found themselves facing new and exciting challenges.

They said: “We’ve both been guided to different career paths which wouldn’t have been possible without the people that we’ve met at Murphy’s Barkery, and for this we will always be grateful.

“We are privileged to have helped celebrate your beloved dogs birthdays, gotcha days, Christmases and even end of life. This is not a farewell furever post but rather a see you when our paths cross again post.”