THE first stage of a multi-million pound revamp of Coleman's Garden Centre – resulting in the creation of 100 new jobs – has been officially opened in Templepatrick.
An established brand in the gardening sector for over 50 years, Coleman's has been expanded to include a new 23,000 square foot under-cover site, including garden shop and restaurant.
This will be followed by phase two of the development plans: an additional 32,000 square feet of garden centre retail which is scheduled to open next Easter.
Speaking at the launch of the £5 million project on Tuesday, Richard Fry, managing director of Coleman's Garden Centre, said he was "delighted" to unveil the "next chapter" of the Coleman business for both old and new customers.
"Coleman's Garden Centre has been such a popular and welcoming establishment in the Templepatrick area for half a decade now, so it is a real privilege to be able to join together with those who have followed its journey for so many years," he said.
"We now look forward to the next phase of our development plans. By adding an eclectic mix of exclusive brands, including the Edinburgh Woollen Mill, to our repertoire of products and services, we hope to be able to cater to a wide variety of tastes and to open up the gardening market to a much more diverse audience."
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Councillor Paul Hamill, who officially opened the centre, said the finished product was "a real credit" to Coleman's which supplies a wide variety of trees, shrubs, bedding plants, tools and garden furniture to gardening experts and enthusiastic amateurs.
"The new retail space and the 220-seater restaurant are particularly impressive are a real credit to Coleman's whose staff have been working hard on the renovation plans over the last few months," he said.
"I look forward to seeing the fruits of their labour and to seeing the local community enjoying the new lease of life which has been brought to the centre by this investment project.
"I would also to take this opportunity to wish the 100 new members of staff who will be joining the Coleman's team over the coming months, all the best in their new positions."
The new restaurant and shop, the design and layout of which has been developed in conjunction with creative retail consultants, Appetite Me, was built by May Estates construction company, Antrim.
