Joint Tesco/Dobbies in Inverness gets go-ahead

Dobbies Garden Centres has welcomed a decision by local councilors to grant permission for a new state-of-the-art centre at Inshes Retail Park, Inverness.

Development of the former Focus unit next to Tesco at the Inshes Retail Park into a Dobbies garden centre will start early next year and the company aims to open its doors to its first customers in spring 2013.

The development heralds a first for Scotland where Dobbies and Tesco will combine through one shared customer entrance.

Dobbies property director Stuart Wright said: "We’re delighted to be a step closer to opening our first Dobbies garden centre in Inverness. We are investing some £5m in the project, which will create 120 new jobs for the community, all of which in turn will have a significant effect on the local economy for many years to come."

Wright added: "We want to thank Highland Council for backing our planning application which will allow us to bring a new generation garden centre to customers in Invernesshire and the wider area.

"Our plans demonstrate a new way of Tesco and Dobbies working together in Scotland to allow our customers to benefit from the strengths of each brand. People in Inverness will be able to enjoy a leisurely shopping experience at our centre whilst visiting Tesco to do their weekly shop."

Source : Matthew Appleby – Horticulture Week
www.hortweek.com