New specialist plant centre to create jobs

Salop Leisure has been given planning permission by Shropshire Council to build the new centre within the grounds of its headquarters near Emstrey Island. The company will create six new jobs within the first year of the centre, which is to be called Love Plants, opening.

Ground work is due to start within the next fortnight and Salop Leisure hopes to open the new venture next spring.

Salop Leisure's managing director Mark Bebb revealed that the plant centre is being developed in association with Derwen Garden Centre and Dingle Nurseries, near Welshpool, which is supplying the majority of the plants.

He said: "Love Plants will be run by a team of experienced horticulturists who have fantastic plant knowledge, understand the needs of gardeners and deliver good old fashioned, friendly customer service.

"We are going to stock a fantastic selection of quality plants. We are not going to be just another garden centre; this will be a specialist plant centre where customers can buy top quality plants and receive advice from knowledgeable staff."

Love Plants will take Salop Leisure's investment in the company's headquarters to £10 million over the past six-and-a-half years.

Last year, the company opened a £1 million 11-acre holiday home village and secure caravan storage facility and this year has seen the opening of a five-pitch park for touring caravans, motorhomes and campers.

Mr Bebb said: "Love Plants will be an extension of this philosophy.

"We believe the people, who come to see our caravans and motorhomes and to visit our accessory shop and Love Coffee restaurant, will also use the plant centre."