PET-store giant Jollyes is the latest retailer to announce that it won’t be opening on Boxing Day.

The company has told its 730 staff – including those at the branch on Keighley Retail Park, in Hard Ings Road – that they will get Boxing Day, plus New Year’s Day, off.

Lucie Coleman, retail operations director at Jollyes, said: “We’re closing all our stores on both days so that 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.

“Keeping pets has long been seen as good for owners’ wellbeing 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.”

Stores with live animals will still get a Christmas and New Year check, for feeding and watering.

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

Last month the company announced that it was recruiting 150 young people aged 16 to 24 – up to two at each branch – under the Government’s Kickstart scheme.