News Release

Tuesday 2 August 2022

Jollyes, the Pet People, set to cheer sad pets sat home with first Dorset store

Manager appointed for new Poole store, creating 10 new jobs

Jollyes, the Pet People, today confirmed it was opening a new store in Poole – its first in Dorset – right opposite one of its much bigger rivals.

The new Poole store, at Unit 1C, Wessex Gate East Retail Park, will open at 10am on Saturday 20 August.

Jollyes in Poole will be just a few paw-steps away from a well-known pet store chain meaning customers will be able to compare the service and value they each offer side-by-side.

Jollyes prides itself on the quality of its service, the pet-knowledge of its people and the value it offers at a time when every little helps.

Jollyes in Poole will employ 10 colleagues, including newly appointed store manager Andy Matthews, whose career includes spells at the Co-op, Marks & Spencer and Tesco. With three children in his family, he has hands-on experience with pets including Angel, a German shepherd, and Tom, a 10-year-old cat.

The 5,000 square feet store will sell a wide range of pet food and accessories for dogs, cats, small animals, birds, fish and reptiles.

In the weeks immediately after opening, the store will also host a Community Pet Clinic, offering regular health checks, vaccinations, flea and worming and microchipping.

The location is a convenient stopping off point for owners across the area, including those using popular dog walks such as the local beaches, Upton Country Park and Canford Heath. Like all Jollyes, owners are welcome to bring their pets into the store.

Matt Godwin, Jollyes regional manager, said: “For those people in and around Poole who don’t yet know Jollyes, we can’t wait to open our doors and give them a warm welcome. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is really looking forward to giving people in and around Poole, more choice than they’ve ever had for their pets.

“The new store is in a great location, and we’re designing it to be easy as possible for pet lovers to find what they are looking for. It’s a very popular retail park and we’re as excited as a new puppy to open later this month".

As the first store in Dorset, the Poole store will complement Jollyes outlets in neighbouring counties of Hampshire, Somerset, Devon and Wiltshire, including Bridgwater, Chippenham, Congresbury, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Waterlooville.

Backed by Kester Capital, Jollyes has more than 80 stores across the UK. In addition to recent openings in Stockton-on-Tees, Southport, Stirling Wrexham and Cookstown, Jollyes this year acquired Penparc Pet Centres with five stores in the Midlands. New stores are due to open this autumn at Glenrothes, Edinburgh and Robroyston as Jollyes continues to search for new locations across the UK.

More news on the new Poole store, including product ranges and plans for opening day will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Further information
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About Jollyes

From modest beginnings in Enfield as a single store in 1971, Jollyes has now grown into one of the leading pet food superstores with almost 70 locations across the UK alongside a market-leading position in Northern Ireland.

From Perth to Plymouth, Newry to Norwich, at Jollyes customers can find anything for their pet, from pet food, pet toys and an array of pet accessories.

Customers are actively encouraged to bring their pets into store, while customers shop because Jollyes people are passionate about pets.

Potty about puppies and crazy for cats, no matter what the animal, store colleagues are always on hand to help with anything from product advice, to picking the perfect pet and accessories.

Many stores also run community clinics offering vaccinations and other advice from trained vets. And if one of Jollyes stores isn’t close by, there’s helpful advice on Jollyes website where you can ask the expert.

Jollyes was recently named Pet Retail Chain of the Year at the Pet Industry Federation Awards.