Jollyes, the Pet People, is putting finishing touches to its new Poole pet store at Wessex Gate East Retail Park for its pet-tastic official opening event on 20 August at 10am, which will include sample testing and goody bags for the first 100 customers.

Dorset pet owners will receive a warm welcome to the new store which will open at Unit 1C, Wessex Gate East Retail Park, at 10am on Saturday 20 August 2022.

The paw-sitively enthralling line-up of events will include St James’ pet blessing, and it is planned that Barney, Harry and Sandra Redknapp’s dog will officially open the store. Barney has accepted an invitation to attend and subject to no last minute change of plans, he will be there along with his owners. He will take his lead for the opening from BCP chairperson Cllr Nigel Hedges and Hot Radio’s Karl Davies.

The Revd Bryony Morrison, of St James’ Church, close to the Poole store, has agreed to bless pets and their owners before opening at around 9.50am. She is also planning a full pet blessing service at St James’ on Sunday 28 August.

Regional manager of Jollyes, Matt Godwin, said: “What better way to get the new store started than with a blessing? It’s going to be a very exciting day, with a great line-up of events and some well-known faces.”

Community station Hot Radio will be live-linking from Jollyes opening. The winners in the search for Poole’s cutest pets, which has already begun on Hot Radio, will collect their prizes of a £35 Jollyes’ voucher.

There will also be the chance to win prizes on Jollyes’ iconic ‘Wheel of Fur-tune’

“We’re looking forward to welcoming owners and their pets from Poole and the surrounding area into our new store and to playing our part in the local community,” said Matt Godwin.

Ranges available at the new store will include dog and cat food, toys and accessories, food, treats and accessories for small pets, birds and fish. Jollyes’ exclusive Lifestage dog food range will also be available.

In the weeks after opening, the store will also host a Community Pet Clinic, offering regular health checks, vaccinations, flea and worming and microchipping.

As the first Jollyes store in Dorset, the Poole store will complement its outlets in neighbouring counties. Jollyes has more than 80 stores across the UK.

The 5,000 square feet store in Poole will employ 10 colleagues, led by acting store manager Tom Amos.