Dobbies to be Northern Ireland first

Dobbies Garden Centres opens its first Northern Ireland centre today (24 September).
The 5,000sqm new Dobbies Garden World in Lisburn, near Belfast cost £8.6m and employs 120 people. The centres is built with timber frame, and includes other renewable energy systems such as grey water recycling.

Lagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots said: "It has been exciting to observe the development of Dobbies since work commenced just 22 weeks ago.

"The professionalism in the delivery of the project was most impressive and I have every confidence that will be replicated in the management of the new garden centre and the service provided in it. This investment at a time of financial turmoil, has been a great boost for Lisburn and Northern Ireland."

Dobbies chief executive James Barnes said: "We are delighted to open our first Garden World in Northern Ireland which we believe is a concept for a new-generation of garden centres in the Province.

"The Garden World is in keeping with our provenance and heritage as expert horticulturalists since 1865 whilst providing a modern destination for today’s consumer. We’re looking forward to welcoming our first Northern Irish customers, who we hope will love Dobbies and our new-concept Lisburn centre."

Dobbies Garden World, Lisburn is the company’s 26th centre in the UK. Four new Dobbies garden centres, set to open in spring 2011, are being built in Livingston, West Lothian; Braehead, Renfrewshire; Carlisle, Cumbria; and Ashford, Kent.

Source : Matthew Appleby - Horticulture Week