THE ribbon was cut to a new pet store in Christchurch on Saturday morning, bringing extra employment to the area.
Pet retailer Jollyes opened its 89th store in the country in Christchurch Trade Park, with the launch of a Jumbo Pet airship 150 feet into the air.
The new shop was met with much excitement as residents and their pets came to sniff out what was in store.
Louise Borg, the 100th employee at Jollyes and shop manager, said: “This store has everything you need for all pets: dogs, cats, hamsters, chickens, parrots, fish, geckos and more and we also sell hamsters, rats, mice and guinea pigs as well as birds.
“We also have a vet clinic, where after the first vaccination you get the second one for free, and we also do microchipping for puppies.”
Cllr Nigel Hedges, chairman of BCP Council, officially opened the new shop by cutting a ribbon. He told the Echo: “It's nice to not have to share the stage with Harry Redknapp when I opened the Poole store, but Jollyes is now in Christchurch, BH23, and this is their 89th store.
“I have had a look around and it’s amazing that they have a vet's clinic, they've got live animals, they've got live food, parts of animals they would never have thought they'd want to eat like pigs ears.
“I tease Jollyes about world domination, but this is obviously a business that knows its audience and what its customers and their pets need.
“Animals melt my heart; I’m a cat man and I've never been sniffed by so many dogs this morning.
“From BCP Council's point of view, we do all we can to assist and support businesses that bring employment and investment to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.”
Nicky Crowe, founder of charity Dog Friendly Dorset, said: “We are raising funds here today for Dorset Dogs Pet Foodbank.
“The reason that we've set these up is because we're finding a lot of people are giving up their animals into shelters which are overrun and we found something needed to be done to donate food for pets, not just people.
“We have pet foodbanks across the county and the feedback says some pets are really in need of food and people are giving their own food to feed their pets.
“Pet food has gone up by 25 per cent and people cannot afford it and it’s heart breaking to think animals are going hungry.”
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