Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre has opened its new Elm Tree restaurant to the public.

The new build, which has a footprint of nearly 1,000 sqm and a brand new kitchen with state-of-art equipment, seats 350 people and offers Taunton diners greater choice.

Andrew Pitman, from the award-winning, independent, family-run garden centre at Monkton Heathfield near Taunton, explained: “We were thrilled to recently open our brand new restaurant. It has been a long time in the making but it has so far been very successful and filled with visitors of all ages.

“The new restaurant comprises of a modern coffee lounge, a large serving island, which includes a deli counter and juice bar, and a self-service drinks area. There is even a crepé station and kid’s corner where little ones can pick up special snack boxes.”

Diners are able to see into the main cooking area where the chefs work and there is lots of seating outside too.

The restaurant also includes a feature wall, which includes scenes from across Somerset. One of the pictures, the steam train at Bishop’s Lydeard, was taken by member of staff, Matthew Vowles, who is a photographer in his spare time.

Andrew added: “Visitors also won’t fail to spot the giant leaves that are the focal point of the restaurant and our snazzy, over-sized light shades.

“It has been great to have everyone visit us and check out the new restaurant. While it is already open to the public there will be an official launch celebration at the end of June.”

The restaurant build was managed by in-house Project Manager, Steve Butterworth, and jobs such as electrics, plumbing and woodwork, were sub-contracted to Westcountry businesses.

The garden centre was able to take on 10 new employees across the whole business, which already employs around 90 staff, as a result of the new build and to supplement the existing, original restaurant staff.

There is also a new function room available for events and to be booked out for business meetings, private parties, anniversaries and even wakes.

For more information visit www.monktonelmgardencentre.co.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/Monktonelm or follow the company on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/Monktonelm.

Pictured above: The main serving island in the Elm Tree Restaurant.

Below: Denis Guillemin, Operations Manager, at the crepé station in the new restaurant.