Haddenham Garden Centre in Aylesbury has created new jobs after it secured vital funding for its expansion plans.
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The family-owned centre will recruit an extra 17 staff with the long-awaited expansion.
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The project has been made possible after the centre secured a ?180,000 grant from the LEADER Programme, aimed at small, rural businesses.
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It will enable the centre?s coffee shop and farm shop to be extended creating 17 jobs over three years.
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Director Ben Hawkins said: ?Expanding our coffee shop and farm shop will help us meet local demand.
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“It also allows us to create higher quality amenities for the local area.
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“These will have an emphasis on quality local food, and in turn create many jobs for the growing local rural population.?
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The works should be completed by spring.
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The new jobs will be spread across the business. Eight of these in the farm shop, seven in the coffee shop, and two in the main garden centre itself.
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Mr Hawkins said: ?Without the LEADER funding, we wouldn?t be able to complete this project. The grant allows us to complete the entire project within one year and safeguard these future jobs and business growth.?
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Will Dallimore, LEADER Programme Manager, said: ?One of the key aims of the programme is to help rural businesses create jobs. I?m delighted we have been able to support Haddenham Garden Centre with its expansion.?
