Jollyes is set to open a new store in Poole – its first in Dorset – right opposite a Pets at Home outlet. The new Poole store, at Unit 1C, Wessex Gate East Retail Park, will open at 10am on Saturday, August 20.

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

The new store will employ 10 staff, including newly appointed store manager Andy Matthews (pictured above), 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.