There could be more than 150 new jobs up for grabs if a new state-of-the-art garden centre is given the go ahead in Northumberland.
Northumberland Estates and garden centre operator Blue Diamond have applied to open a garden centre on land at Cawledge, east of the A1 near Alnwick.
Northumberland Estates, which represents the business interests of the Duke of Northumberland and the Percy family, plan to invest £13 million in the facility.
If the planning application is approved, it will be managed by Blue Diamond, one of the UK’s largest garden centre chains, and create more than 150 new full and part-time jobs.
The proposed site will have indoor and outdoor plant sections as well as gardening products, leisure and homeware and outdoor furniture.
The application was submitted by the businesses following a public consultation period. The response was positive, with over 74% of respondents welcoming the addition of a garden centre to Alnwick and 73% supporting efforts to enhance the area’s retail offerings.
Colin Barnes, Director of Planning and Development for…
