Groves is growing!
Groves is growing! Visitors to Groves in Bridport this summer will be treated to a front row view of an exciting project to install a smart new entrance canopy and undercover plant area for the garden centre.
Managing Director Charlie Groves explains “The project is to replace the two existing pavilions at our main garden centre and create a welcoming new entrance area with one single large canopy.
“This will give our customers a large, light and bright environment to shop in a multi-functional all-season space - when it’s finished you’ll be able to enjoy browsing our outdoor plants whatever the weather. We love the design Fordingbridge have come up with for Groves and can’t wait to share this with everyone.”
Although all areas will remain open while the works are in progress, a project of this size brings some disruption, and we're keen to fore-warn customers so that you're is prepared when you visit.
How do we think it will all work at Groves while the project is ongoing?
- Groundworks begin on Monday 8th July and it is expected that the canopy will be completed by early September
- We are re-opening the old entrance at the top of the smaller car park and the existing exit will become also become a way in for customers parking in the large lower car park
- These entrances can be used for customers who are shopping for pet supplies, garden sundries, compost, indoor plants, wild bird care, seeds, garden leisure and gifts
- An additional side entrance gate will be opened in the fence beside Ivy House Kitchen
- This side gate will allow access to Ivy House Kitchen, outdoor plants, garden buildings, landscaping and outdoor furniture
For parts of the project the shop will be cut off from the rest of the garden centre and the existing entrance area will be out of bounds. We expect to have a walkway operational at weekends to allow access between the two customer sales areas.
Artists impression of how the canopy will look once installed
"We’re busy preparing the site so that customers can still get to everything, but there’s no doubt we’ll be working in a different way over the summer“ Nursery Manager Becky Groves says “over the next week we’re creating an undercover outdoor till point as there will be times when getting directly from the shop into the plant sales simply won’t be possible. We hope this will be minimised and that especially at the weekends customers will be able to walk through between the two, but it’s still better to plan for this regardless”.
Digger-loving visitors to our popular Ivy House Kitchen will be delighted with the temporary view! Although the project won’t directly affect the café it’s fair to say the view from the impressive glass windows will be a little different for a time. The Cabin will remain open for takeaway hot drinks and snacks, perfect if you’d like a ringside seat to watch the exciting progress.
The team here at Groves are putting final touches to temporary signage and maps to help customers navigate around the site over the summer; you can stay up to speed with all the latest updates via socials and our weekly newsletter. The local van delivery service will continue to run as normal, or customers are encouraged to use the Click & Collect option on this website if you would prefer not to come into the store while the project is ongoing.
For anyone wishing to get their Groves fix in a peaceful and calm setting, why not take the opportunity to support our smaller sister site Little Groves, accessed from the A3066 on the northern outskirts of Beaminster. Little Groves are renowned for their brilliant herb selection. They stock all the usual gardening essentials and the knowledgeable team are always happy to help with any horticultural queries.
