After three months of refurbishment, Tong Garden Centre was officially reopened on Saturday as hundreds of well-wishers joined in the celebrations.

Cheers went up as Welcome to Yorkshire’s chief executive Sir Gary Verity cut the ribbon to mark the relaunch.

Sir Gary said: “I was delighted to meet the fantastic team of dedicated staff who are working tirelessly to turn it not only into a great place to shop and buy Yorkshire produce but also into a great tourist attraction for the region. Welcome to Yorkshire look forward to working with the team and seeing the centre go from strength to strength.”



Pictured: Sir Gary with Cath Westmoreland and Julie McAlister.

Since school friends Mark Farnsworth and Tom Megginson bought the ailing garden centre in May, they have invested in an extended plant area, children's adventure playground and a new coffee shop and have introduced concessions including Mountain Warehouse and Huddersfield-based Bon Marché.

Mr. and Mrs. Fielding, customers from Pudsey who have been visiting Tong for many years, said they were delighted with the transformation: “Tong was looking tired before, but now there are new ideas and a new energy. It's an amazing change and just what it needed.”

Owner Mark Farnsworth said: “Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate the relaunch with us. We were proud to hear Sir Gary congratulate the Team at Tong for the transformation and we’re looking forward to our bright future."

Improvements will continue, with the relaunch of the refurbished Orchard Restaurant later this month.

Plans for the New Tong's first Christmas will be announced shortly.

The centre occupies a 17-acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire's biggest independent garden centres, with 110,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 1,000 cars.