Dobbies and Tesco submit plans for joint store
Garden centre operator Dobbies has joined forces with Tesco to submit plans for a new development at Kings Lynn which will see an 80,000 sq ft Tesco Extra Store adjoin a 50,000 sq ft Dobbies garden centre.
Tesco received planning permission in 2010 for the superstore at the 45 acre former Campbell’s factory site in Kings Lynn. The resubmitted plans now include a Dobbies Garden World located in the same building as the Tesco store.
As well as offering over 10,000 plants and specialist aquatic centre, the £8 million Dobbies will offer a 350-seater restaurant and a food hall offering locally sourced produce from the Norfolk area.
The site masterplan also includes provision for a new hotel, car showroom, restaurant and pub, as well as additional employment space as part of the second phase. When the site is fully completed, around 1000 new jobs will have been created, 420 of which will be provided by Tesco and Dobbies.
Dobbies, which has 32 garden centres nationwide, became part of the Tesco group in 2008. The new scheme will see the two businesses operating together under the same roof for the very first time.
Louise Gosling, corporate affairs manager for Tesco said: “By building a Tesco and Dobbies under one roof we will provide a unique shopping experience for our customers. Dobbies is the leading garden centre in the UK, and offering its specialist products on-site at a Tesco store will be of great value to the local community.”
Stuart Wright, property director at Dobbies, added: “Following the success of adjacent Tesco and Dobbies stores in Gillingham, we have taken a decision to have the two stores under one roof. The success of our Gillingham store highlights that families are increasingly visiting the garden centre while they do the weekly shopping and we believe that customers in Kings Lynn will relish the opportunity to visit our new destination as part of the weekly routine.” .
