WORCESTER'S specialist vet group Severn Veterinary Centre has expanded by acquiring three new clinics in Warwickshire.

With help from the Royal Bank of Scotland, the company has purchased veterinary group Arden Forest Veterinary, which owned practices in Stratford-upon-Avon, Henley-in-Arden and Alcester. All three clinics have been renovated and updated since the acquisition and have been rebranded under the Severn Veterinary Centre name.

Established in 1999 by husband and wife team Jock and Caroline Queen, Severn Veterinary Centre specialises in providing care for small animals. Its existing practices in Worcester include Berkeley House in Warndon Villages and Tybridge House in St Johns and the acquisition of Arden Forest Veterinary increases the total number of clinics it now owns to five.

Mrs Queen said: "We are delighted our takeover of the Arden Forest Veterinary has been a success and with the support provided by the bank. The acquisition has enabled us to grow our business rapidly and should facilitate further organic growth as referrals to our orthopaedic services increase.

“We have made many significant changes to the former Arden Forest Veterinary practices, enhancing their facilities and bringing them in line with standards at our existing surgeries. All three clinics were in need of a re-vamp and we have re-decorated and re-fitted all of the premises to improve the services we can offer. We have also purchased an array of modern equipment including ECG machines, state of the art digital x-ray equipment and lab equipment for blood testing to ensure our facilities are amongst the best in the area.We are currently in the process of enhancing staffing levels at all three practices, putting in a stable team of new veterinary nurses and physicians to ensure we offer patients consistent care from familiar practitioners every time they visit.”

Kam Sangha, senior healthcare relationship manager at RBS, added: "Caroline and Jock have developed an excellent business over the years and offer a very high standard of clinical care across all of their practices. The changes they have made to the practices are excellent and I am sure that patients old and new will be thrilled with the improvements to the facilities and the service they receive.”