New Dunfermline Dobbies Gets Planning Consent
Planning permission was attained today by Dobbies Garden Centres for a new 50,000 sq ft Dobbies Garden World at Fife Leisure Park in Dunfermline.
The new Garden World, expected to bring around 100 new full and part time jobs to the region, will be built within a 7 acre site at the southern boundary of the park and is set to cost £7 million.
One of the top ten leisure parks in the UK, Fife Leisure Park is situated two miles east of Dunfermline and 17 miles north of Edinburgh, with the park benefiting from a prime location just off junction 3 of the main M90 motorway into Fife.
James Barnes, Chief Executive of Dobbies Garden Centres, comments: “Planning permission was granted on the basis that, as well as providing a state of the art garden centre, the new facility will offer an enjoyable leisure experience and an attraction to the Dunfermline area in its own right, with the new Garden World complimenting and enhancing the existing function of the park.
“With many of our Garden Worlds achieving four star accreditation as visitor attractions from the relevant tourist boards, we aim to extend beyond the usual retail experience to appeal to a ‘day out’ customer.
“One of the key elements of the Dunfermline Garden World will be a dedicated tourist attraction which will include a series of themed gardens which will change with the seasons, an exciting hands-on visitor centre, a dedicated children’s play area and landscaped grounds.
“For all ages, the gardens will feature a number of sensory and interactive aspects, including reflecting pebble pools, ponds, sound sculptures, wind spirals and other kinetic elements.
“The visitor centre will be both hands-on and hi-tech, incorporating a living wormery, PH testing and a scent zone.
Continues Barnes, “Practical and useful, the visitor centre will highlight that gardening is easy and fun and also promote environmental awareness. It will significantly contribute to the tourism industry in Fife.
“In addition, the new Dobbies Garden World will boast an annual programme of events for both adults and children, a number of which will be developed in conjunction with Craigencalt Ecology Centre at Kinghorn. We aim to make the store a real part of the local community.
Barnes concludes, “Finally, we believe that the new facility will have a positive impact on the local economy.
“As well as Dobbies being committed to creating local employment and staff training opportunities, we operate a local business development philosophy, sourcing a percentage of our Farm Foodhall produce from local suppliers.”
With work set to commence in six weeks time, the store is expected to be open for business in May next year. Benefiting from excellent road communication, the store is expected to serve not only Dunfermline itself, but Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and the surrounding villages, as well as attracting tourism due to its location just off the M90.
All set to offer an extensive outdoor plant and gardening area with some of the largest selection of plants available under one roof, a cold greenhouse with outdoor plants will also link straight onto the shop floor, allowing customers to shop for outdoor plants in comfort - whatever the weather.
A Farm Foodhall and deli will boast some of the finest locally sourced fresh and organic produce available in the region. Reflecting a ‘field to kitchen’ ethos, the horticultural theme will continue right through from the garden centre to the foodhall – from apple trees to fresh apples and strawberry plants to punnets of fresh strawberries.
The aquatics department will be one of the most specialist around, offering everything needed to keep indoor and outdoor coldwater fish, marine and tropical fish – from the fish themselves to aquatic plants, food, tanks and aquariums, pumps and filters.
The store’s indoor range will be chosen from around the world and will also include a specialist book department, cards and stationery, toys, outdoor wear, candles and home fragrances, home accessories and perfumed body products. The horticultural theme will again continue through the indoor shop with lavender candles, rose bath products and much more.
As well as the largest collection of outdoor plants and gardening products, the new store will offer a vast range of everything else needed to turn your garden into an enviable living space – from barbecues, heaters, to conservatory and outdoor furniture.
A 300 seater restaurant will feature a beautiful conservatory. With delicious home cooked meals and snacks, the restaurant will offer healthy options, complete with salad bar and very modern juice bar and a coffee bar.
The new centre will have extensive free car parking and coach facilities. Disabled access and toilet facilities will also be on hand, as well as a separate baby changing room for customers.
