Fakenham Garden Centre has invested £100,000 into modernising its cafe, which features a new floor, new seating and an extended seating area, new counter equipment and new lighting and heating...

Owner Martin Turner said: “The feedback from the customers has been fantastic.

“The coffee shop has become a lot busier since we reopened it three weeks ago, so we’re looking to take on one extra member of staff and it could lead to more jobs in the future as well. We did this work because it had been suggested by customers and the specialists we brought in have done a great job.”

Cafe manager Ross Watson said: “The difference now to how it was, is like chalk and cheese.

“The cafe had become a bit claustrophobic and outdated but now there is a much more modern feel about it.

“The food is largely the same as before, all made on site, but now it is displayed in a more appealing way.”

Fakenham Garden Centre, based at Mill Road, Hempton, was opened in 1985 by Mr Turner’s parents, Gordon and Brenda Turner, who are still involved in running the business.

It has become one of Norfolk’s most well-known garden centres and currently employs 53 staff.

An extension to the garden centre was built in 2008 and won an award for its ‘Outstanding Craftsmanship’ from the Norfolk Association of Architects.

Mr Turner said: “We only started making plans to refurbish the coffee shop in October, so it’s all happened very quickly.”

He added: “I’d like to thank our customers for their patience while we closed for the first two weeks of February and I’m delighted that the new cafe is now ready as we approach our busiest time of the year.”