TV star Tim Vincent is to officially open the new Jollyes store in Wrexham next month.

The Welsh actor presenter – who started his career at Theatr Clwyd in North Wales and is familiar to millions from his time on Blue Peter – will cut the ribbon to mark the opening of Jollyes’ new flagship store at Wrexham on Saturday 7 May at 10.00am. 

Shortly after the opening ceremony, Tim will host and judge the Pet Passion Show which will take place at the store as part of the UK City of Culture 2025 bid celebrations.  

The morning’s events will be broadcast live on community radio station Calon FM. 

Jollyes has teamed up with the borough’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid as it aims to clinch the coveted title after making it through to the final four shortlisted in the nationwide competition. 

Britain’s first ‘Pet Passion Show’ will take place outside the new store at 10.15am after Jollyes launched a search for the pets and owners with the most loving relationships to take to the Jollyes red-carpet catwalk. 

Jollyes’ pioneering Pet Passion Show is not about finding the most beautiful pets – of all varieties – in Wrexham – it’s about finding the 10 most amazing relationships between pets and their owners in the borough, to celebrate how pets can lift their owners’ lives. 

Applications have been pouring in from Wrexham borough-based owners who think their pet fits the bill. Would-be contestants can post their pictures and stories at the Jollyes Instagram site (https://www.instagram.com/jollyesuk/) with the hashtag #JollyesPetParade.  

Wrecsam 2025 bid team member and destination manager Joe Bickerton and his dog Milly will also take to the red carpet on opening day. 

Jollyes’ retail director Lucie Coleman said: “Wrexham is going to be special store for us here at Jollyes with the best we can give the pet parents of the borough.   

“And our best store deserves the best launch, so we’re delighted to be partnering with both Tim and the Wrexham 2025 bid team as it gears up to become the next city of culture.” 

Joe Bickerton, from the Wrecsam 2025 City of Culture bid, said: “We’re thrilled that Tim will be in town on May 8th to help support this Jollyes’ opening and the borough’s bid for the city of culture in 2025.  Tim’s a great example of the talent that’s come from the Wrexham and how we celebrate what we have here in the borough.” 

Tim Vincent said, “I am very happy to be back in my hometown of Wrexham to help put the spotlight deservedly on our town and our bid for City of Culture. 

“It’s always fun and a breath of fresh air when I come home, especially this time because I will be judging amazing animals and the bonds they have with their owners.” 

The new Jollyes Wrexham store will create 10 new jobs as part of a £1 million investment by the business. 

The Border Retail Park store will be Jollyes’ second store in North Wales, complementing its popular outlet at the Flintshire Retail Park, Flint. 

The opening will mark an important stage in the retailer’s plans that will see Jollyes open 20 stores in this calendar year across the UK.