Jollyes opens new Seaham store creating seven local jobs

Jollyes, the UK’s only pet specialist discounter, has launched a new store in Seaham at Byron Place Shopping Centre, aiming to help local pet owners manage the cost of caring for their animals during challenging economic times.

The new store has created seven jobs for people in the Seaham area and is managed by Janet Long, a pet owner herself with three dogs and two guinea pigs. Janet brings her personal passion and experience with pets to assist customers in finding the right products for their animals.

The grand opening featured a red carpet event with limited-edition goody bags and a chance for customers to spin Jollyes’ ‘Wheel of Fur-tune’ to win prizes. Animal-themed stilt walkers entertained visitors, and the Jollyes mascot, Molly, was present to greet guests.

The official opening was marked by the Mayor of Seaham, Councillor Milford Lingard, who cut the ribbon alongside retired police dogs Ulrich and Pip. These dogs served a combined 13 years, with Pip having worked as an explosives search dog and even attending the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. They represented the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA), Jollyes’ national charity partner.

Opening celebrations will continue on Saturday 12 September with local pet owners invited to join the festivities at the store.

Janet Long said,

We’re delighted to open the doors to our new Seaham store and become part of the local community. As we continue to grow, it’s important that we bring great value and choice to local pet owners while investing in the areas we serve.

Creating seven new jobs in Seaham is a fantastic way to start, and we look forward to welcoming customers and playing an active role in the community for years to come.

Jollyes now operates over 120 stores across the UK. Upcoming store openings include Sheffield on 25 September, Mansfield on 16 October, and Dunfermline on 6 November. Over the past three years, the company has nearly doubled its number of stores, establishing itself as a strong challenger in the UK pet retail market.

The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals supports the care and welfare of retired service animals from emergency services, including police, fire and rescue, Border Force, NHS, and others.