Jollyes is putting the finishing touches to a new store – its 85th in the UK – and prepares to open it with an exclusive performance of the ‘Peterborough Pet Proms’.
The nationwide retailer is opening its first Peterborough store at Unit 2-3, Rex Trade Centre, Maskew Avenue, Peterborough on Saturday 28 January at 10.00am.
The 4,400 sq ft store will initially employ 10 colleagues and will offer pet owners in the area a wide range of pet products, from food and treats to toys and accessories, as well as the services of a Community Pet Clinic.
The team will be led by new store manager Tracy Shipman, the proud mum of a cat, who joins Jollyes from Nottcutts garden Centre and after a stint at B&M
The official opening ceremony will be performed by the deputy mayor of Peterborough, Councillor Nick Sandford, Deputy Mayoress Alderman Bella Saltmarsh but they’ll also be assisted by Peterborough-based Gabriella Pineda-Rodrigues and cockerpoo Scamp.
Peterborough-based Gabriella has performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall, as well as the likes of Peterborough Cathedral, St John’s Church, and Stamford Arts Centre. Trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, she has performed for the late Queen and is in demand as classical crossover singer.
Gabriella will help launch the store with the first pet proms, performing from 9.45am on opening day.
Her repertoire is expected to include little ‘Pooch-ini’ while Jollyes new customers do their ‘Chopin’ and favourite Disney songs such as:
- "Everybody wants to be a cat" from Aristocats
- "Feed the birds" - from Mary Poppins and
- ‘Once upon a dream’ from Sleeping Beauty which is on Classic FM's list of calming music for dogs.
The schedule of events for the opening day includes:
- Official opening at 10.00am by Peterborough deputy mayor Councillor Nick Sandford and deputy mayoress Alderman Bella Saltmarsh
- Pet Proms with Gabriella Pineda-Rodrigues from 9.45-10.15am
- The chance to win prizes by playing the “wheel of fur-tune”
- Goodie bags for the first 100 visitors
- Face-painting for kids and stilt walkers dressed as animals
- A live broadcast from 10am-1pm hosted by PCR FM Saturday breakfast hosts Keith & Claire.
Jollyes’ regional manager Sarah Farrar said: “We’re so excited to be opening in Peterborough and bringing Jollyes to Cambridgeshire for the first time.
“We’ll have a fantastic range of food, treats, toys and accessories in Peterborough’s best value pet superstore and we think that will be music to the ears of local pet owners.
“We’re looking forward to pet owners bringing their animals on opening day to join in the fun and join our Pet Proms.”
Backed by Kester Capital, Jollyes’ Peterborough store will be its 85th across the UK and has ambitious opening plans for 2023 as it continues its rapid growth.
