Planners at Malcolm Scott Consultants have secured permission for an extension at a North Yorkshire garden centre with the aim of providing an enhanced retail experience for visitors.
Acting for family-owned Whitegates Garden Centre near Northallerton, the business submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council for an extension to its existing retail area, and the removal of a number of polytunnels at the West Rounton site, which are presently being used to display the centre’s plant offering.
Chris Primett, Director, said: “We worked closely with the centre owners Jon and Claire Grainge to prepare these proposals, which will provide an improved customer experience for visitors to Whitegates.
“At present, the centre displays its range of plants and garden decorations in three polythene clad polytunnels, which become extremely hot on sunny days, which is both unsuitable for plants and very uncomfortable for visitors.
“We submitted plans to the authority requesting permission to remove these tunnels and replace them with three glasshouses totalling 13,000 sq ft, which will incorporate roof ridge venting to provide a spacious, comfortable environment for browsing customers. These glass houses will form a marketplace style retail hall where the centre can showcase its extensive range of plants and garden decorations,” he said.
Jon Grainge said: “We are delighted that the Malcolm Scott team understood our goals and secured permission for us to bring them to fruition. We are confident that once complete, the enhancements to our plant area will provide a better year-round experience for our customers, while still maintaining the integrity and atmosphere of our independent, third-generation family-owned garden centre and nursery.”
Whitegates Garden Centre has expanded significantly over the past 10 years and currently employs 58 staff.
Work on the new-look retail experience is expected to start this Autumn and be completed in Spring 2026.
The Malcolm Scott Consultants team will be exhibiting at Glee at the NEC, Birmingham, from September 16-18, and can be found on stand 11D70.
To make an appointment, contact Chris at chrisp@malcolmscott.co.uk.
