Dobbies to build new store in Shinfield

By Stephen Emerson

13 May 2022

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Support from Dobbies for Reading community projects

Dobbies' Garden Centre is set to build a new 60, 000 sq ft premises in Reading Town.

The new facility will offer soft play areas, pet provision and a large restaurant in addition to plants and shrubbery.

Reading County Council granted planning permission for the store earlier this week. Construction work is expected to get underway imminently with the opening planned for late 2023.

It marks the latest stage of Dobbies UK expansion plans, the company acquired 37 stores in 2019, doubling its national presence to 74 outlets in total. In March Dobbies announced a £10million investment in a new 110 000sq ft centre in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

The new Shinfield store will be built on land adjacent to the existing outlet. It will remain open for the majority of the construction. When the new outlet is ready the older branch will be replaced by superior access, EV charging points and car parking facilities.

A statement from Dobbies read: "The new store will offer an outstanding garden centre experience for customers, with a comprehensive range of plants and gardening products, as well as carefully curated home, pet and gifting ranges. There will also be a foodhall with butcher and 10,000 sq ft restaurant with soft play."

By Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset.

Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users.

He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.