Newbank Garden Centre in Radcliffe has received permission from Bury council to build a larger café and modernise its toilets, a plan the owners describe as "essential to the longevity of the business."
The centre, which says it is one of the "most recognisable businesses in the area" and "one of the leading independent garden centres in England," is facing falling customer numbers. Those in charge attribute the decline to "degraded" and outdated buildings and a change in consumer habits.
Dining now key to garden centre offer
Planning documents state that garden centres are no longer just a shopping destination but are expected to offer a more rounded experience, with dining and refreshments now key parts of the offer. While "quaint," the café at Newbank is described as "terribly degraded" and "too small."
Newbank Garden Centre said: "As much as we try to paper over the cracks with our displays and exciting products, the infrastructure of the site is now starting to let us down quite badly."
Plans for courtyard and new jobs
The approved plan will see a "much improved and larger" café created, along with modernised toilets. The existing indoor café would be converted into a kitchen area, while a "fully landscaped courtyard" would be created for customers to dine, including new "heated awnings" for bad weather and an uncovered area for sunny days.
Newbank has also promised new menus showcasing local produce, as well as free WiFi for customers. The improvements are expected to create between 10 and 15 additional jobs at the centre.
Documents state: "This development will secure the future of Newbank in Bury and help to keep us competitive as one of the premier garden centres in the North. Our car park is rarely full these days, aside from the busy two weeks at Christmas."
They add: "We are hoping that the extra seating, improved toilet and parent facilities, weatherproof access and new ambience will attract the local people of the borough and many others as well. We have been a stalwart of Bury for over 30 years and wish to continue being here for another 30 years, but we need the new development as food and leisure is now an intrinsic part of a retail offering, especially in the current economic climate."
