Taking shape Work on huge new garden centre makes progress
WORK on building a flagship Dobbies garden centre next to the M5 in Gloucestershire continues apace.
The development, by Junction 9, near Tewkesbury, and also alongside the A46, is starting to take shape.
Much of the main infrastructure for the 70,000 sq ft garden centre appears to be in place.
The facility, which will include 10,000 sq ft of restaurant space, is set to open this autumn. It is being built at the site of the planned Cotswolds Designer Outlet – a new premium retail and leisure destination that is expected to open in 2024.
Dobbies says its store will create about 150 jobs for the local and neighbouring communities. It is building a management team and is looking for individuals who are interested in garnering experience across operations, horticulture and the restaurant sector. Dobbies is the UK’S largest garden centre retailer, with 74 stores.
Its chief executive, Graeme Jenkins, said: “As one of our biggest stores to date, we are proud to be creating jobs for talented and ambitious people across the south west of England. We welcome applications from anyone interested in joining us on this positive journey.”
The Cotswolds Designer Outlet is due to offer cafes and restaurants, as well as premium fashion, so-called ‘athleisure’ – clothing that can be worn for sport and leisure – footwear and lifestyle brands. Its bosses say its proximity to the M5 and the Ashchurch for Tewkesbury railway station will make it the most accessible outlet shopping destination in the South West and among the most accessible in the UK.
Developed by Robert Hitchins Ltd, the outlet will be leased and managed by Realm, one of the UK’S leading specialist operators of designer outlets and retail destinations.