GARDEN CENTRE INVESTMENT potentially look more favourably on garden centre projects. “However, this might lead to higher development taxes on garden centre developments through the application of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).” The CIL allows planning authorities to make additional charges on new buildings over 100 sq.m. to fund key strategic infrastructure. “I know of two garden centre project which have stalled where the CIL ran into six-figure sums,” Primmet says. Paul Pleydell says the switch from serveries to table service in garden centres was a significant trend between lockdowns last summer to meet the revised regulations. “It also meant higher transaction values, so many operators have now re-modelled their restaurants and cafes. But because the offer has now been ‘premiumised’ as a result, it means the surroundings have to be improved, so we are seeing that kind of project come through.” Equally significant is the sudden apparent need for extra warehousing – to hold stock not only for online and click-and-collect sales but also extra space to store stock in the event of supply shortages, both foreseen and unforeseen (like those precipitated by the blockage of the Suez Canal by the Ever Given container ship). Meanwhile, Pleydell says, it is the job of consultancies like his to focus on creating a retail experience for people to enjoy to capitalise on “the new impetus out there”.

YORK LEEDS

HULL

SHEFFIELD

NOTTINGHAM

BIRMINGHAM

PETERBOROUGH

NORWICH

CAMBRIDGE

WORCESTER MILTON KEYNES

COLCHESTER

The QD Group are actively seeking new garden centre investment opportunities, running ads as above in GTN. Below, Stanley Bragg Architects have recently secured planning permission for a warehouse extension at Scotsdales in Cambridge.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

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