AN East Lothian garden centre is set to expand its restaurant and meeting space in a bid to fight back against the threat of internet competitors.
Dunbar Garden Centre, which has been operating on the edge of the town for 13 years, has applied for planning permission to expand its building space to make more room for customers and staff.
The centre agents say it has outgrown its original space and needs to expand to keep up with demand.
A statement on behalf of owner Nick Crabbie says maintaining a ‘bricks and mortar’ business requires ensuring it is an attractive place for customers to visit.
It says: “The business has been very successful having doubled its sales since opening and now employs 71 full and part-time staff.
“The main threat to the business has been the internet-based retailers of garden related products. Their competitive advantage is to provide a convenient way of shopping from home and to be able to stock a very wide range of goods and plants.
“Dunbar Garden Centre is a ‘bricks and mortar’ business which requires customers to visit in person.
“Key to attracting customers to visit is to create an attractive retail environment where people can enjoy the experience, meet friends and get ideas on gardening. A garden centre’s catering offer is an essential part of attracting customers to visit and spend time at the garden centre.
“The current facility has proved very popular and has now outgrown its premises and needs to increase its seating area. In addition, with such a large number of staff the garden centre owners now need to provide adequate space for meetings and staff training sessions.”
The centre also hosts suppliers get togethers and regional meetings of the Horticultural along with other meetings, ‘mini’ trade shows and gardening clubs for children and adults.
The expansion will provide more space for gatherings at the centre alongside the extended restaurant seating area with plans to make it flexible enough to cater to both uses.
The plans have been lodged on the East Lothian Council planning portal.
