Waitrose makes progress with garden centre plans

Waitrose is moving ahead with plans to develop garden centre sites.

Plans for a £14m Waitrose at Notcutts garden centre in Bagshot have been lodged with Surrey Heath Borough Council.

Waitrose is proposing to create a new 2,000sqm food store at the Notcutts site, which will also see its store receive a complete revamp as part of the deal.

Some 86 per cent of locals came out in support of the development.

Notcutts will continue to employ around 45 people at a new 2,750sqm store adjoining Waitrose.

Notcutts chief executive Andy King said: "Feedback from many of our customers has been very positive and they have welcomed the opportunity our partnership with Waitrose will bring to redevelop the garden centre on the existing site."

Waitrose development director Nigel Keen said: "We were encouraged the majority of those who recorded their comments share our confidence a new Waitrose food shop could bring substantial benefits to the area.

"We would welcome the opportunity to become part of the Bagshot community and play a positive role in the creation of new local jobs, providing more choice and encouraging more people to shop locally."

Meanwhile, a Waitrose being built at Garden Centre Group's Northampton Garden Centre is set to open by Christmas.

And planning permission has been granted for a Waitrose and the redevelopment of Percy Thrower's Garden Centre on the Garden & Leisure centre's Shrewsbury site.

Waitrose is also launching an online TV channel and is trebling its own garden offer for 2014.

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