Two members of an entrepreneurial family have spoken of their pride after completing a ?1m transformation of their garden centre on its 20th birthday.
Marc Charnley, 42, opened Crooklands of Dalton with his sister Leeanne and father Lou in 1996.
Over the past two decades, the garden centre, which used to be a small nursery with no water or electricity, has blossomed into a thriving family-run business selling a wide range of furniture and interiors.
To celebrate its achievement, the centre underwent a major refurbishment with two new furniture showrooms installed.
Marc Charnley thinks that there is no other garden centre like his family’s in the North West and is delighted with the revamp after researching for two years how to carry out the best refurbishment.
He said: “We had this vision planned out and we are very proud of what we have become in being able to bring something unique and different to the area.”
As part of the redevelopment, the car park has been relaid with tarmac and a new cafe and restaurant called the Bakehouse has been built.
However, the biggest change of all is above the door as the owners decided to rename the business as Charnley’s Home and Garden to acknowledge what the family have achieved.
Jules Charnley, 35, has been involved in the business for seven years and married Marc four years ago to become one of the family.
She said: “The family name reflects that we are a family business that cares about our customers and we focus on their shopping experience, from browsing our store to buying high-quality products.”
To acknowledge the store’s refurbishment, a competition will be launched in conjunction with the Evening Mail on Monday November 14 to give you a chance to win ?2,500 to furnish your living room. Details on how to enter will be posted soon.
