Jollyes has announced that it will close its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day to give its 730 staff members a well-deserved break.

Lucie Coleman, the chain’s retail operations director, said: “We’re closing our stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day so the whole of our team can enjoy time with their families – and, of course, their pets.

“It’s our way of saying thank you to all our colleagues who have worked so hard to look after the needs of our customers and their animals through extraordinary times.”

Ms Coleman added: “Keeping pets has long been see as good for owners’ well-being and that has never been more true than during the pandemic, both for our long-term loyal customers and those who’ve started shopping with us since getting a lockdown pet.”

Jollyes’ 70-plus stores across the UK have seen strong sales over the past 18 months, including double digit growth in its most recent quarter.

Jollyes stepped up its investment and expansion plans last month with the acquisition of The Pet Store and its three Yorkshire shops in Wakefield, Barnsley and Denby Dale. It also recently embarked on a £500,000 investment in Bristol, opening and relocating stores to bring Jollyes to more customers in the South-west.