Look North Dog Grooming was formed in 1977 by the original owner Diana North. Joanne Angus and Alison Thomas began working for her the same year as Saturday girls and are the current directors of the company.
The business was renamed in 2004 becoming Look North Grooming & Training Centre Ltd and has been in it's current premises on Henry Street for 36 years.
Joanne Angus - LCGI
Director & Head Stylist
Joanne has over 40 years experience in the grooming industry, having started her grooming career as a Saturday girl, and has been teaching grooming since the 1980's. She is one of the founders of Groom Team England for which she was team co-ordinator for 10 years, is co-author of 'The Grooming Manual for the Dog and Cat' and 'What Every Professional Groomer Should Know' and is a founder member of the Guild of Master Groomers.
Joanne is keen to promote grooming excellence wherever possible, judging grooming competitions and demonstrating at seminars and events throughout the UK. She is a proud member of The Groomers Spotlight promoting qualified groomers and is also a City & Guilds examiner. Joanne is a lead end point assessor with VetSkill for the dog grooming apprenticeships.
Joanne owns 2 Poochons, KitKat and TuTu.
Qualifications:
- City & Guilds 775 Level 3 in Dog Grooming
- City & Guilds 730 Teaching Certificate
- City & Guilds 924 Youth Trainers Award
- City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Competence in Dog Walking
- City & Guilds Level 4 Licentiateship (LCGI)
- Pet Care Trade Association Higher Diploma in Grooming
- Animal First Aid
- Canine Health and Welfare in the Groom Room
Awards:
- Eurogroom Champion
- Groomer of the Year - 1991 and 2001
- Runner Up Groomer of the Year - 2011
- Intergroom USA - Gold Medal
- Style to Rescue 2018 - Best In Show
Alison Thomas
Director
Alison originally joined Look North as a Saturday girl with Joanne and competed briefly as a junior groomer. She went on to win the first ever ‘Newcomers’ class at Groomer of the Year in 1986.
After leaving to pursue another career and motherhood, Alison returned to Look North in 1998 as a director. She is the co-author of 'What Every Professional Groomer Should Know', also displaying her artistic talents in some of the drawings in the book. She works full time in the office dealing with the less glamorous, but equally important side of the business and is a director of our approved City & Guilds centre, Summit Groomer Training Group.
Alison owns 1 very elderly chocolate Labrador named Beth.
Zoe Duffy - LCGI
Senior Stylist & Tutor
From an early age Zoe followed her passion for animals through showing and grooming Lakeland Terriers. Now, with 30 years of professional grooming experience under her belt, she teaches, is an examiner and quality assurer for grooming qualifications.
Zoe is a founder member of Groom Team England and judges grooming competitions and demonstrates at seminars and events throughout the UK. She is the presenter of 'The Bichon Frise' and 'The Clipped Long Legged Terrier' Styling Academy DVD's and co-author of 'What Every Professional Groomer Should Know'. Zoe was a member of the Guild of Master Groomers for over 20 years. She is a proud member of The Groomers Spotlight promoting qualified groomers and excellence throughout the industry. This culminated in her being awarded an industry lifetime achievement award in 2019.
Zoe owns a Poochon, Cole and a Ridgeback, Zuri.
Qualifications:
- City & Guilds 775 Level 3 in Dog Grooming
- City & Guilds 730 Teaching Certificate
- City & Guilds Level 4 Licentiateship (LCGI)
- Pet Care Trade Association Higher Diploma in Grooming
- First Aid at Work Accredited
Awards:
- Groomer of the Year - 1994 and 2005
- Intergroom USA - Gold Medal
- European Grand Champion- 2008
Naomi Edwards
Qualified Groomer
Naomi joined Look North in 2015 following her initial training. She runs the day to day salon workload and is trained in EmmiPet teeth cleaning. Naomi is working towards becoming an assessor for the Level 2 Qualification.
Naomi has competed in various grooming competitions and placed at most. She is a member of The Groomers Spotlight promoting qualified groomers in the UK.
Naomi owns 2 Cocker Spaniels, Poppy and Basil.
Qualifications:
- City & Guilds 7763-03 Level 3 Certificate in Dog Grooming
- City & Guilds 7763-03 Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming
- Animal First Aid
- Canine Health and Welfare in the Groom Room
Amber Dowse
Qualified Groomer
Amber joined Look North in 2017 as a Saturday girl and completed her Level 2 training shortly after. After joining us full time in 2018, she went on to complete her Level 3 Diploma in grooming.
Amber has since competed in various grooming competitions and placed at most. Amber is a member of The Groomers Spotlight promoting qualified groomers in the UK.
Amber owns a Malamute, a German Shepherd and a Welsh Terrier
Qualifications:
- City & Guilds 7763-02 Level 2 Dog Groomers Assistant
- City & Guilds 7863-03 Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming
- Animal First Aid
- Canine Health and Welfare in the Groom Room
TESTIMONIAL
"Winston looks beautiful his first puppy cut, he will always go there not sure he was happy at first but he's going to have to get used to it It's so nice and warm and the staff are lovely."
Get in touch with us today to find out more about the grooming and training services we provide.