A BUSINESS owner has spoken of her excitement as a new cat café is set to come to Braintree.

Sarah Fretwell is gearing up to open the Whiskers and Paws cat café in the town.

The new site will be in the George Yard Shopping Centre next to Fever Jewellers.

Mum Sarah, who has a background working with SEN children, says she was looking for a career change.

Braintree and Witham Times: Excited - Sarah Fretwell, who is opening a new cat café in BraintreeExcited - Sarah Fretwell, who is opening a new cat café in Braintree (Image: Public)

Having been to several cat cafés with her daughter, the idea was put in motion.

Cat cafés do what they say on the tin, serving up food and drink surrounded by four-legged friends.

However, they have had criticism over whether cats should be in an environment with a constant stream of people.

Braintree and Witham Times: Family - Sarah's cats mother with her sons Flash and SoxFamily - Sarah's cats mother with her sons Flash and Sox (Image: Public)

Sarah said: “I’m working with local cat rescue charities and helping find them new homes.

“Every cat will have a small QR code on their collar which will direct visitors to the cat’s page on the charity’s website where there will be information about the cat and the adoption form.

“We will have house rules and an upstairs area for just the cats, with litter trays, cat beds, blankets and treats, so they can come and go as they please.

“All will be monitored too to make sure they are comfortable and happy in their new environment.”

Braintree and Witham Times: Site - the new cat café will be in the George Yard Shopping Centre next to Fever JewellersSite - the new cat café will be in the George Yard Shopping Centre next to Fever Jewellers (Image: Google)

Sarah also said the design will be based on her front room to give a “homely feel” to the café, with a glass corridor entrance and two doors to prevent escapees.

It is the second cat café to open in the district, off the back of the successful Meow Cat Café in Halstead.

The Halstead business has said it was “worried” for its future following the news of the new venture in Braintree.

Braintree and Witham Times: Popular - the Meow Cat Café in HalsteadPopular - the Meow Cat Café in Halstead (Image: Newsquest)

However, Sarah said it is not a competition and loves the Halstead business.

“We love it there and have been several times," she said.

“When my cat had kittens, we took two of them there as we knew they would be looked after and able to find good homes and went in to see them recently.

“There is no competition, we are different in design and feel.

“People will have preferences and I am sure will continue to support both.”

Sarah said Whiskers and Paws is aiming to open about the end of February.