Melinda Messenger helps open new Swindon Jollyes pet shop

Jollyes pet supplies store opened its doors on Friday afternoon after the ribbon was cut by Swindon’s very own Melinda Messenger.

The celebrity was born in the town before going on to a career in modelling and presenting.

She returned to her hometown to help cut the ribbon for the brand new store.

Melinda toured the new facilities, located at Mannington Retail Park, and spoke to members of the public.

Melinda brought her own dog Peggy to the grand opening. (Image: Newsquest)

“Today has been absolutely brilliant and an absolute joy to come here to Jollyes and it is a really lovely and friendly place,” she said.

“If I was living around here still, I would work in this shop as that is how lovely it has been.”

The 52-year-old brought along her own dog Peggy to the event who chewed through a string of sausages to officially open the new store.

“Peggy has been absolutely in her element today too and these pet shops are my favourite things anyway,” said Melinda.

“When I was a kid and living in Swindon, every week I would go to Bretts pet shop on Commercial Road and I loved it so I’m really happy being in here.”

Store manager Tanya Paterson was on hand to help customers on the opening day. (Image: Newsquest)

The new Jollyes store had balloons outside to mark the entrance along with two stilt walkers dressed as a zebra and a lion.

The staff were pleased with how the grand opening had gone, with store manager Tanya Paterson on hand throughout the afternoon to help customers.

“It has gone absolutely superb today and we couldn’t have asked for any better weather, staff and customers,” she said.

“I spoke to Melinda and she is really friendly and she even mimicked my Welsh accent.”

Stilt walkers in costume were outside the store to welcome in customers. (Image: Newsquest)

A soft opening was held at the shop on Thursday and Tanya is hopeful that the business will settle into its new Swindon home.

“I am really looking forward to the future here as it is a completely different challenge for all of us but we are going to smash it out of the water,” she said.

“I have never worked with pets before despite having two Boxer dogs but it’s a new challenge and this company looks after its people so it was an opportunity I couldn’t let go.”

You can find the new store at Mannington Retail Park between M&S Foodhall and Oak Furniture Land.