Longacres of Bagshot, one of the UK’s biggest garden centres with a turnover of more than £16 million, will go head-to-head with a Squires group outlet following acquisition of its second centre.

Longacres confirmed this week that they had had bought the former Thompson's Plant and Garden Centre at Shepperton, Middlesex, which closed earlier this year. The Thompsons site is less than a mile from Squires’ Shepperton centre but on the other side of the M3, opposite Sunbury golf course.

Rumours that Longacres were ready to buy a second site have fuelled industry speculation in recent months.

Longacres are currently refurbishing the site’s facilities with a view to opening the new centre at the end of September or early October. GTN Xtra understands the centre will follow the Bagshot formula, with a coffee shop and cut flower sales. Garden machinery and camping concessions already on site will remain.

Vacancies for the new store are being advertised on the Longacres website and include planteria, shop and office staff.

http://www.longacres.co.uk/Downloads/Vacancy%20List%20Shepperton%202.pdf

After the recent re-development at Bagshot, Longacres now boasts one of the smartest Food Halls in UK garden centres - that the GTN team has visited anyway - and the butchery is especially impressive.  See pictures below and send us and e-mail if you know of a better garden centre Food Hall. trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk