Dobbies Garden Centres has today officially launched the next stage of construction of its new state-of-the-art Dobbies Garden World development at Strawberry Hill on the Saintfield Road near Lisburn.
Dobbies, one of the country’s leading gardens and homes retailers, plans to this autumn (2010) open the doors of its first store in Northern Ireland – heralding a new-generation of garden centres for the Province.
The company is currently constructing a new-generation 48,000sq ft garden centre on a 13 acre site in Lisburn (located off Junction 6 of the M1) with extensive landscaping and planting of new native trees and shrubs. The timber frame structure is erected, and the cladding will now begin before internal design work commences.
The £8 million investment will incorporate an environmentally-friendly garden centre using natural construction materials including a timber frame that will recycle the rain and grey water from the site and provide a wide range of eco products for a greener lifestyle features. The garden centre will mean a jobs boost for the area with 120 posts being created. The scheme will also include a visitor attraction incorporating display gardens and Labyrinth.
James Barnes, Chief Executive, Dobbies said: “We are excited to be delivering a new Dobbies Garden World for Lisburn and Northern Ireland. This project has been subject to very detailed and lengthy discussions with the Planning Service and we were delighted to finally receive a positive planning decision. The local support we received has been outstanding and we are truly grateful for it. This is a project of regional significance in Northern Ireland and we believe that the community and the economy will benefit greatly from the Garden World and the 120 jobs that will be created.”
Mr Barnes continued: “The proposals for our Lisburn store is a reflection of the innovation and excellence of service offered at all our Dobbies Garden Centres, and we have consulted extensively with local politicians and stakeholders to ensure support for our scheme. Dobbies Garden World, Lisburn will deliver substantial benefits to the local and wider Northern Ireland economy. It represents a forward thinking and refreshing boost to the construction industry and the wider economy at a time when this is much needed and shows Dobbies commitment to the greater Lisburn area and Northern Ireland.”
Speaking at the launch, Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA said: “This is a project that Lisburn welcomes. I very much welcome the dynamic and pioneering approach that Dobbies brings to their shopping experience and also, the environmentally-friendly way that they construct and maintain their destination. I am genuinely pleased to see Dobbies getting started on site as it brings a much needed boost to the local and wider Northern Ireland economy at a difficult time”.
Dobbies Garden World will incorporate a modern garden centre with an extensive range of plants, horticulture and gardening products, a locally-supplied Farm Foodhall, a high-quality restaurant with deli bar and outdoor terrace offering freshly prepared meals and home-baking, and specialist aquatics all under one roof. An elegant gift department and a larger selection of beautiful furniture for the garden and home with stylish accessories for customers to create their own individual look will also feature in the new store. Dobbies Lisburn’s autumn opening will be timed with a specialist festive offering, where the Dobbies Christmas shop and festive events will bring the centre alive as a Christmas destination.
The external areas will consist of an outdoor planting area, themed demonstration gardens, a Labyrinth and “The Greenhouse” visitor attraction will ensure the quality of the leisure destination is maximised.
Dobbies Garden Centres
Founded by James Dobbie in 1865, Dobbies has today grown to become one of the UK’s leading gardens and homes retailers with over 11 million customers every year at its 25 stores throughout the UK and online at www.dobbies.com. With headquarters in Midlothian, Scotland and 25 centres located across the UK, Dobbies Garden Centres operate with their own local identity, building and developing strong links with the local community.
For over 140 years, the Dobbies name has stood for quality horticulture and the retailer has expanded its offering in recent years to create a leading home and garden retail destination with departments including: homeware and accessories, conservatory and outdoor furniture, pets and aquatics, garden toys and games, stylish gift departments, as well as leading restaurants and Farm Foodhalls, specialising in local produce.
Dobbies by numbers:
• Founded in 1865 in Renfrew
• 25 stores across the UK - 13 Scotland, 12 England
• Headquarters at Melville, outside Edinburgh (its base for 75 years) with showpiece garden centre
• Over 11 million customers annually
• Sales of over £100 million (£97 million for financial year 2009/10)
• Employs over 2,000 staff, 120 at head office
For further information please contact:
Richard Hart
Cherton Enterprise Ltd
Unit 8
Belmont Business Park
240 Belmont Road
Belfast
BT4 2AW
Tel: 02890769966
Mob: 07920832299
Email: richard.hart@cherton.co.uk
Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chair of Lisburn City Council’s Economic Development Committee, with Mr James Barnes, Chief Executive, of Dobbies, planting the seeds of success for the Lisburn Meet the Buyers Event for the only Dobbies all-Ireland gardening and retail centre.
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