Blue Diamond Garden Centres unveiled its £1.2m makeover at Ryde’s Busy Bee when the centre was re-opened over the Easter weekend.

Among the changes are the addition of a new food hall, a fashion department and a more customer-focused layout throughout the store.

Extra seating has been added both inside and outside the restaurant, which now bears a bee-themed name, The Hive.

Busy Bee ran for nearly 40 years under the ownership of Chris and Mary Leslie. The couple, who have now retired, oversaw the business grow into one of the Isle of Wight’s largest and best-known retail destinations.

Since taking over in September, Blue Diamond has carried out extensive works to transform the site.

A full report on Busy Bee’s official opening can be found on the Island Echo website. Click here to view it.