Home and garden products retailer Marlows has completed the first phase of a ?1m redevelopment and refurbishment at its 3.5 acre site in Bury St Edmunds.
The main store and a new caf? are now open, with a revamped gardening and plants area to follow in spring next year and the pets and aquatics store to be redeveloped after that.
New lines in the main store include home decoration, cook ware, outdoor clothing, greetings cards and toys while the new Marlows Kitchen Caf? is open for breakfast and lunch as well as tea, coffee and cakes.
Managing director James Dilley said: ?The changes are considerable and have brought Marlows right up to date. Marlows has always been a Bury institution but the new look represents a significant modernisation.
?We?ve really tried to bring the best of modern garden centres across the UK to the new Marlows and I hope it delights and surprises people.?
Andrew Hughes of garden centre design consultancy Pleydell Smithyman, which was retained to advise on the re-development said: ?The natural look and feel of the concept has allowed Marlows to create an effective and flexible retail space to suit a modern home and garden centre with a strong and welcoming new identity, whilst still retaining its tradition and roots.
?Further works to the outdoor plant area and garden sundries area for spring 2017 will complete the picture leaving Marlows well placed to build on its success in the future.?
The changes at Marlows have also included a full re-brand, developed by branding consultancy Holy Cow! based at Old Martlesham, near Woodbridge.
Sue Ashurst of Holy Cow! said: ?We took our design cues from the cool, modern Scandi interiors and we have developed a strong graphic look. However, we have been mindful of the local heritage of the brand and complimented this new contemporary image with a welcoming, chatty tone of voice that Marlows? staff are famous for?.
Ten additional employees have been recruited in the new caf? with a similar number of new roles to follow by the time the redevelopment is completed, taking the total workforce to around 60.
The new gardening and plants area is due to be ready in time for Easter. As during the first phase of the investment, Marlows will continued to trade during the work.
