JOLLYES has announced the opening date for its new store in Poole - the first in Dorset.

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

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.

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 as 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.