New State-of-the-Art Veterinary Practice to open in Hartlepool...

Major Boost for Pet Owners in Hartlepool, as Clifton Lodge Vets set to Open State of the Art Practice....

28th July 2025

A local vets practice is bringing a significant upgrade to pet healthcare in Hartlepool, as it prepares to open a brand-new, state-of-the-art veterinary practice on Brenda Road by the end of the year.

Clifton Lodge Veterinary Surgery, which has operated from the towns Stockton Road since 1950, is now set to relocate to Sovereign Park as it strives to meet growing demand as well as enhancing its services offering for clients and their beloved animals.

The ambitious move marks a major milestone for the local veterinary provider, with the new 20,000 square foot facility—housed in a former industrial unit which will deliver a modern, spacious environment, equipped with the latest in veterinary technology and patient care infrastructure.

The upcoming practice will feature:

• Five consultation rooms

• Three fully equipped operating theatres

• An intensive care unit for unwell pets

• A dedicated dental suite

• Separate cattery and kennel facilities

• Diagnostic imaging and x-ray services

• An isolation unit to prevent cross-contamination

• A bereavement room offering privacy and support to grieving pet owners

The new site will also benefit from ample onsite parking—something the existing practice had struggled with—making access easier for clients from across Hartlepool, Durham, and Teesside.

Zoe Dykes, Clinical Director at Clifton Lodge Vets, welcomed the move, saying:

“Our existing practice has been here for 75 years and, while there is a lot of history, it is past its prime. This new hospital gives us the space and facilities we need to provide the very best treatment and experience—not just for our patients, but also for their owners."

“With more consultation rooms and theatres, we’ll be able to treat more pets and carry out more procedures. We’re also creating dedicated spaces for nurse-led clinics and staff wellbeing, which helps us continue delivering high-quality care as our practice grows.”

Backed by VetPartners, Built by Local Talent

The transformation of the site is being supported by VetPartners, a UK- and Europe-wide veterinary group led by veterinary professionals known for investing in high-quality practices. Construction and interior work is being handled by Forbes Joinery and Interiors, a Middlesbrough-based company.

The upstairs area of the new building will feature offices and a rest room for the clinical and front-of-house teams, ensuring the growing team—already 12 vets strong across four sites—has a comfortable space to work.

Clifton Lodge already operates branches in Horden, Billingham, and Sedgefield, but the Hartlepool site remains its flagship location, currently serving nearly 10,000 active clients.

With work already underway, Clifton Lodge Vets expects to complete the move by the end of the year, marking a new era for veterinary care in Hartlepool. The expansion also reflects the practice’s commitment to the highest standards of animal health and wellbeing—and a vote of confidence in the Veterinary Surgery for choosing to invest in Hartlepool’s as a regional hub for pet healthcare.