Building work has started to transform John Browns garden centre at Three Legged Cross in Dorset.
The ageing centre is undergoing a £1 million makeover by new owners, the Golden Acres group, which is installing a unique entrance and “village square” of shop fronts for all the concession businesses based at the site.
At the same time, the centre’s camping concession will get an all-new building, which is currently being erected.
Access from the road will be improved, leading to larger car parks, and an old canopy-covered plant area will be replaced with a new, larger glasshouse building.
Much of the groundwork is being handled by Golden Acres’ own buildings staff before handing over to contractors to erect the various buildings.
Premises housing the centre’s kitchen and saddlery concessions will remain untouched.
During a planned second phase next year, the coffee shop will be expanded with a new covered outdoor seating area, boosting it from 98 covers to 200, the outdoor plant area will be increased and a farm shop will be added to sell local produce.
