Jollyes to invest £1m to expand vet clinics

Pet retailer Jollyes has announced that it plans to invest £1m in vet clinics, grooming parlours and other pet services in its UK stores, over the next 18 months.

Between now and the summer of 2024, Jollyes will double the number of stores that offer community pet clinics, double opening hours for those clinics and double the number of dog grooming locations.

To facilitate this the company will appoint Colin Neave as its first ever head of services. Neave will step up from his existing regional manager position to focus on the expansion of Jollyes’ pet services.

The company has also partnered with Leeds-based Eville and Jones to provide in-store veterinary services from fully trained and Royal Veterinary College-accredited vets.

Jollyes has also appointed Dr Adrian Ward MRCVS to the Jollyes board, bringing veterinary experience to the leadership team.

All Jollyes’ existing spas will relaunch in 2023 as Jolly Groomers and the first Jolly Groomer will open at Jollyes’ new Scunthorpe store in North Lincolnshire at the Gallagher Retail Park on 25 March.

From 13 March, Jollyes will introduce vet clinics across eight of its Northern Ireland stores; Ballymena, Lisburn, Lurgan, Banbridge, Newry, Newtownabbey, Belfast and Bangor.

Existing clinics in 45 Jollyes stores will see opening hours expand across the week enabling greater access and convenience for shoppers.

Charles Hartwell, CEO of Eville and Jones, said: “Our commitment to widen the provision of vet clinics and grooming services will help us build on our extraordinary growth as more customers discover the value and expert support our people provide.

“Jollyes’ investment in more community pet clinics in their UK stores is fantastic news,” he said. It’s an exciting time, and with eight new vet clinics set to open in Northern Ireland, I look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Jollyes and their customers.”