Salop Leisure, in Shrewsbury has had its plans for a £400,000 plant centre  approved by Shropshire Council.

The company, based alongside Shrewsbury bypass at Emstrey, will create six new jobs within the first year at the 4,500 square feet centre, to be called ‘Love Plants’.

Ground works are due to start within the next fortnight and Salop Leisure hopes to open the new venture next spring.

Salop Leisure’s managing director Mark Bebb revealed that the plant centre is being developed in association with Derwen Garden Centre and Dingle Nurseries, well established businesses in Guilsfield, near Welshpool, who will supply the majority of the plants. “This will ensure we can offer Shrewsbury a first class facility from the outset,” he said.

“Love Plants will be run by a team of experienced horticulturists who have fantastic plant knowledge, understand the needs of gardeners and deliver good old fashioned, friendly customer service.

“We are going to stock a fantastic selection of quality plants, including large and unusual varieties. We are not going to be just another garden centre; this will be a specialist plant centre where customers can buy top quality plants and receive great advice from knowledgeable staff.”

He emphasised the strong focus on customer service in the new business. “Customers enjoy receiving good service and it is now so rarely available in the UK,” he said. “As a company we have set out to establish a centre of excellence for caravans and motorhomes in Shrewsbury by giving customers great service.

“’Love Plants’ will be an extension of this philosophy and we feel that it will fit nicely into our leisure brand, as a lot of our caravan customers enjoy the outdoors and gardening.

“We have a great venue, friendly staff, easy parking and access off Shrewsbury bypass and attract 230,000 visitors a year. We believe the people, who currently come to see our caravans and motorhomes and to visit our accessory shop and Love Coffee restaurant, will also use the plant centre.”

Love Plants will take Salop Leisure’s investment in the company’s headquarters to £10 million over the past six-and-a-half years. Last year, the company opened a £1 million 11-acre holiday home village and secure caravan storage facility and this year has seen the opening of a fully serviced five-pitch park for touring caravans, motorhomes and campers.

For more information, call Salop Leisure on 01743 282400.