Dobbies plans £8 million Harrogate garden centre

A major new garden centre, costing £8m to build and providing around 120 jobs, could be coming to Harrogate.

Creators Dobbies, part of the Tesco group, is now to consult on the plans for the proposed “Garden World” and two public exhibitions are to be hosted next week.

Stuart Wright, director of property, said: “We are excited about the prospect of building our newest Garden World in Harrogate and want to work closely with the local community to ensure our plans fit local requirements for the chosen site.”

The company had carried out market research, he said, which showed that more than three quarters of respondents would be “very likely” to visit the new centre.

“We will also be working with Yorkshire suppliers to fill our Farm Food Hall shelves, feature on the menu of our restaurant and help provide a range of gardening and plant products,” he said.

“Our public consultation will give the local Harrogate community the opportunity to view our proposals and speak to members of our project team.”

Dobbies, one of the UK’s biggest garden centre groups, is considering a site on Skipton Road, two miles from the town centre.

It would house more than 10,000 plants, shrubs and trees and include extensive outdoor areas as well as a specialist aquatics department.

A Farm Foodhall, offering local Yorkshire produce, would be built along with a “top-quality 350 seater restaurant”.

Public exhibitions are to be held in Harrogate next week to gauge public opinion.

The first will be held on Tuesday between noon and 4pm at St Peter’s Church. Two more, on the Tuesday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and on the Wednesday from 1.30pm to 5pm, are to be held at the Jennyfield Styan Community Centre.

Source : Ruby Kitchen - Harrogate Advertiser
www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/harrogate-district/new-8m-garden-centre-proposed-for-harrogate-1-5169221