End February 2008
Dobbies Garden Centres is currently in the process of preparing a planning application to Mendip Council for a £6.5m Garden World at Fosse Lane, Shepton Mallet.
With the potential to bring around 80 full and part time jobs to the area, the redevelopment proposes to replace the former Tesco store and would provide a state of the art garden centre and an enjoyable leisure experience to people in the Mendips.
Headquartered in Edinburgh, Dobbies is known for their innovative approach in combining destination based retailing with leisure and a lifestyle experience.
The new Garden World would offer an extensive range of indoor and outdoor plants, horticultural and gardening products, garden and conservatory furniture and specialist aquatics and water gardening products.
Horticulturally trained staff would be on hand to give advice and assistance and there would be a regular programme of in-store events to educate and entertain everyone from the gardening novice to the seasoned horticulturalist and from school children to people of all ages.
The horticultural theme is planned to continue through an indoor gift range including books, cards and stationery, toys, candles and home fragrances, home accessories and perfumed body products.
A contemporary restaurant with conservatory would offer an extensive menu of freshly prepared meals and home-baking, with the high quality products and ingredients sourced locally where possible.
The new Garden World would also have extensive free car parking and coach facilities and access would be via the existing entrance on Mendip Avenue, off Fosse Lane. The site would also be safely accessible by those traveling on foot, by bicycle and via public transport.
Dobbies propose to enhance the existing mature landscape with specimen ornamental tree and shrub planting and seasonal colour through herbaceous plants and bulb planting. The car park in particular would be given a greener, softer feel, with native trees and shrubbery.
The current building would be refreshed and enhanced using new natural materials and the interior would be completely refurbished and substantially remodelled to create an inspirational and modern garden centre.
A new contemporary and high quality restaurant with conservatory would be created and new plant protection canopies would extend from the existing building, creating frost protection for early stock and linking the interior space with the external plant sales area.
Dobbies is committed to using resources as efficiently as possible to prevent pollution during the building and the running of their centres. The ongoing management and operation of the centre would also be guided by Dobbies environmental policy, which aims to continually raise the profile and practice of energy conservation, sustainable sourcing and recycling across the business.
Stuart Wright, Director of Property comments: “We aim to create an inspirational garden centre experience, to inspire, educate and to entertain all those in the Mendips with an interest in horticulture. Dobbies intention is to create a high quality but natural environment which creates a ‘day out’ experience for visitors.”
A public exhibition of Dobbies proposal will be held at Shepton Mallet Library, 2 Market Place, on Tuesday 4th March from 2.30pm to 8.45pm.
…ends…
Note to Editors:
A company with a reputation for horticultural excellence, Dobbies Garden Centres plc was founded nearly 150 years ago, and with 23 garden centres across the country, is one of the leading homes and gardens retailers in the UK.
Recognised for high quality plants, a longstanding heritage is now complemented by an expanding and diverse retail offer and popularity as an enjoyable leisure experience and day out destination.
Dobbies is positioned between the traditional garden centre and the major multiple retailer, making it the number one choice for plants, gardening and the ever-widening range of products demanded by today’s gardener and home-owner.
For further information please contact:
Rachel Walker, Public Relations Manager at Dobbies Garden Centres, on 0131 561 6070 or rachelwalker@dobbies.com
