When Clare Woodford opened The Raw Pet Deli in Hardway in September 2023, she wasn’t just starting a business; she was following her heart. Just a year and a half later, her passion for pet health and nutrition was recognised when the deli was crowned Best Independent Business at the Gosport Awards 2025, topping the public vote with 21% of nominations – a testament to the mark she had made on her community.
A life in motion
Originally from Fareham, Clare moved to Gosport 25 years ago. Her early career was spent with horses, training, grooming, riding, and instructing straight out of school. She did try her hand at banking, but quickly realised her true calling was working with animals.
That calling became even clearer when her beloved dog Zuma, a Small Münsterländer, fell seriously ill as a puppy. “He was in and out of the hospital two or three times a week,” Clare recalls. “Someone suggested I try raw pet food and natural therapies. I found a local shop that stocked it and within a few weeks of changing his diet, Zuma was healthy again, and it was incredible.”
Inspired, Clare began researching raw pet food and its pivotal role in curing Zuma. “I then struck up a friendship with the shop owner, Kelly, and she offered me a job.” For 15 years, Clare immersed herself in the world of pet nutrition until the shop sadly closed in 2023. “I was devastated when the business closed. It was my passion, and I didn’t want to go back to horses after 40 years.”
Building the Raw Pet Deli
Fate intervened when a shop unit became available opposite Clare’s house, and within weeks Clare had opened The Raw Pet Deli. “It felt meant to be,” she says. “People remembered me from the old shop, and customers started coming back. I’m now living the dream.”
Running the deli is an actual labour of love. Clare works alone most days, with occasional help from local teenagers Chloe and Molly. Her mornings start early with a run for Zuma, followed by emails, deliveries, and preparing the shop for customers. Wednesdays are for wholesaler visits, Fridays for paperwork, and evenings are often spent answering questions from pet owners. “It’s not 9–5, it’s 24/7,” she laughs. “But I absolutely love it and couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
A surprise win
When Clare heard about the Gosport Business Awards, she put up a poster in her shop and asked customers to vote. “I didn’t expect much,” she says. “My business was so new as I had only been open just over a year,” she admits. But an email soon arrived announcing she’d been shortlisted. “I was blown away and so excited.”
At the ceremony, Clare was seated alongside her friend Lorraine, who runs Tea by the Sea. When Lorraine was announced as runner-up, Clare was thrilled for her. Moments later, Clare’s own name was read out as the winner, and she was stunned. “I was absolutely gobsmacked,” she recalls. “It was the most amazing feeling. I’d worked so hard, and to have that recognised was just incredible.”
Passion over profit
Clare believes her win came down to authenticity. “People can tell I love animals. This isn’t just a business, it’s my passion,” she says. For her, The Raw Pet Deli isn’t simply about selling food; it’s about giving owners another option before rushing straight to the vet. Many don’t realise that nutrition can be the first line of defence against illness, and Clare has seen countless dogs turn their health around through diet alone.
One customer, whose dog suffered from painful sores and constant itching, followed Clare’s advice and switched to a raw diet. Within weeks, the dog’s coat was glossy, the itching had stopped, and the transformation was so remarkable that the grateful owner knitted Clare a Christmas soldier as a thank-you gift. “Moments like that remind me why I do this,” Clare says warmly.
She’s committed to keeping prices fair, with basic meals starting at £2.50 for a 500g tub. Premium options like Wildpack (£6.68 per kilo) include meat, vegetables, and hemp oil. “You get what you pay for, but I encourage mixing and matching for variety. My own dog has a selection, with some expensive raw food, and some budget-friendly, because variety is what keeps them healthy, and everything I stock, whether it’s the cheaper-end or higher-end, is healthy and the best.”
Clare only stocks food from independent manufacturers, ensuring traceability and quality. “I know exactly where every product comes from and how it’s made. These small independents are as passionate as I am, and that makes all the difference.”
Her ongoing research still shocks her. “Some processed dog foods include ingredients you’d never expect – even rubber from car tyres, which can be classed as a mineral. I’ve seen sweet manufacturers use byproducts in dog products. That’s why I’m so passionate about offering better choices.”
Life beyond the deli
Though horses once defined her life, Clare now finds joy in sailing with her husband, the chairman of Hardway Sailing Club. But her greatest inspiration remains Zuma. “We nearly lost him as a puppy. Now he’s 10 and looks so young. I’d hate for anyone else to go through what we did. Dogs keep me passionate.”
Looking ahead
I ask Clare what lies ahead for her deli, and she smiles and tells me her dream is to expand. “I’d love to be able to offer deliveries,” she explains. “That would mean investing in extra storage space for backup freezers, insulated boxes, and a temperature-controlled van. It’s a big operation, but it would allow me to reach even more customers who want the best for their pets.”
There’s even a vacant unit nearby that Clare has her eye on. “You never know,” she giggles. “I love where I am now, but the demand is growing. If I can make it happen, I’d like to take The Raw Pet Deli to the next level.”
“I want people to know they have options. Feeding your dog the right diet can save on vet bills and give them a better life. That’s what The Raw Pet Deli is all about.”