Nationwide pet retailer Jollyes plans to open a new Christchurch store – its second in Dorset - at 10am on Saturday 29 April.

The store, at the new Christchurch Trade Park on Somerford Road comes just months after Jollyes’ highly successful opening in Poole which was opened by local legend Harry Redknapp, his wife Sandra and dog Barney.

Jollyes is rapidly opening shops across the country and its Christchurch manager Louise Borg will be the company’s 1,000th colleague.

Joining Jollyes after a 20-year retail career, Louise is mum to a chorkie called Smudgi.

For its launch, Jollyes is also teaming up with Dorset Dogs to help raise for the social enterprise’s vital work in the region.

The charitable arm of Dog Friendly Dorset Facebook, Dorset Dogs CIC is raising funds to support its work in the community including the opening of pet food banks across Dorset and beyond, and campaigning to raise awareness of the importance of pets and dogs to the wellbeing of humans.

To help spread that message, Dorset Dogs will have a Kissing Booth (for pets only!) at the store on launch day with founder Nicky Crowe, an animal behaviourist, on hand to showcase the benefits of scent work, first aid and training to help dogs and humans.

Jollyes will match-fund money raised by Dorset Dogs over the opening weekend and also help support Dorset Dogs pet food banks across the county.

On its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/dogfriendlydorset), Dorset Dogs will launch a search for the most deserving dog in Dorset to launch the store on 29 April by biting through a string of sausages.

Other activity planned for the opening launch include an outside broadcast by community station Hot Radio, kids face-painting and animal stilt walkers and a tour for the chair of BCP Council.

Jollyes in Christchurch will also see the first-ever launch of Jollyes’ “Jumbo Pet” – a giant airship featuring a dog and cat that will be raised on Saturday morning to 150ft to tell Christchurch that the store has opened.

Jollyes Christchurch store will have a community pet clinic each Monday, part of a plan between now and the summer of 2024, to double the number of stores that offer vet-run clinics.

Vet-supervised dog and cat vaccinations in the clinic will start at just £14 and £13 for rabbits with primary course jabs for dogs and cats at £33. 

Microchipping, already compulsory for dogs and compulsory for cats from 2024, for cats, start at just £13, offering significant savings against average prices charged by formal vet practices.

“We’re starting work today getting the store ready for opening next week.” said regional manager Sam Wells.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Dorset Dogs and can’t wait to show off our store to them and pet parents in and around Christchurch.”

Nicky Crowe from Dorset Dogs said: “Just like Jollyes we know the physical and mental health benefits of owning a pet – the emotional support they provide is nothing short of a lifeline for their owners.

“That’s why we’re committed to rolling out pet food banks across the region.  People are feeding their pets before themselves and we aim to ease this harsh reality."

According to the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) survey of more than 60 animal shelters across England, 92 per cent of shelters have seen an increase in people wanting to surrender a dog compared to pre-pandemic levels, and 88 per cent saw an increase in people wanting to surrender cats.

“Pets are family, and we want to help keep families together,” added Nicky..

The opening of the new Christchurch store is part of Jollyes’ ambitious expansion plans which will see it hit £100 million turnover in FY2023, employ 1,000 colleagues this year and have 100 stores within 18 months.

Its Christchurch store will be the first location it has ever opened in a brand new unit.