Kentish Express Ashford & District
Glasshouse unsafe, says garden centre
Rotting base forced demolition, critics told
Garden centre owners have defended removal of a Victorian glasshouse after health and safety concerns.
The Longacres group took over the Bybrook Barn Garden Centre, off Canterbury Road, last month.
Among the early changes was to take out the glasshouse salvaged from Eastwell in 1975 by the previous owner, Terry Burch.
Visitors noted with concern that the structure, which had been part of Mr Burch’s original garden centre at the old Bybrook Barn, was removed.
But Longacres group spokesman Michael Ainley said the structure had become unsafe.
He said: “When we did our initial health and safety assessment the greenhouse was very high on the list of risks as it had not been maintained over the years, especially around the base of the building, which was timber and quite rotted.
“When our builders started their groundworks, the whole structure shifted and sagged and it became completely unsafe. We had no choice but to remove it.”
Mr Ainley said most of the glass had already been swapped for polycarbonate, and said some of the ironwork has been salvaged.
He said that reclamation specialists had been approached about the materials, with a view to using them locally.
New flooring and an extension of the restaurant and outdoor seating by the lake is planned.
He said: “There are lots of new products both inside and outside and the flower department work is under way. We are hoping to have fresh flowers available at the beginning of September.”
The company wants six new workers and is aiming for a grand opening on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9.
The garden centre has new opening hours, Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 5.30pm, and Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm. A late Thursday night opening will be available from November, and Longacres is also to launch a click and collect service online.
For more information about the company or job opportunities visit www.longacres.co.uk