The latest phase in the Bents journey has been completed and the Centre has announced the opening of six new retail departments including leading outdoor clothing retailer Trespass and arts and craft specialists C-Craft.

Valued at £5.1m, the 37-week project has culminated in an additional 30,000 sq ft of retail space on the ground floor together with new offices, and future expansion space for retail at first floor level.

The work has also included the construction of a major new roundabout, providing the Warrington based garden and home centre with a prominent entrance to its extended car park, 40 community allotments and a new community play area.

It forms part of Bents’ vision to become the ultimate garden, home and leisure destination in the North West, by providing customers with more choice in a bigger and better store.

The new departments include:

• 9,000 sq ft Food Hall *:  From fresh, daily produce to a butchers, bakers, continental deli counters and wine shop where trained wine specialists can help source the perfect bottle for any occasion

• 3,000 sq ft Cook Shop:  featuring everything needed to equip the modern kitchen, from must have utensils to stylish accessories and clever gadgets

• 4,000 sq ft Children’s Boutique:  Beautiful clothing and brilliant toys in a new interactive children’s area, which will host regular classes and workshops for parents and their little ones.

• 4,400 sq ft Nevisport|Trespass:  Leading outdoor clothing specialists providing everything needed to enjoy the outdoors; affordable, practical performance for all levels

• 4,400 sq ft C-Crafts:  offering over 15,000 products for just about every craft you can imagine.  C-Crafts stocks leading brands with everything required to create something special.

COMING SOON

• 5,000 sq ft The Pet Place: deli, shop, spa café.  Everything needed to take care of pets with a groom room and pet café where pets can choose from their own delicious menu and dine with their owners.

Matthew Bent, Managing Director at Bents Home and Garden said: “We’ve come a long way since the Bents’ business was established by my grandparents nearly 75 years ago and the journey so far has been hugely enjoyable.  Despite growing in size we want to retain all the great things we already do, keeping the feeling and ambiance we have worked hard to create, but in a bigger store.

“Whilst never forgetting our gardening heritage we’ve worked hard to create a destination that is no longer just focussed on the garden but also encompasses home, lifestyle, leisure and a day out.  We feel our new retail departments help us achieve just that.”

Bents has also opened an additional dining area, bringing the total number of dining options at the Centre to five:  The Fresh Approach Restaurant, Café Lago, Fresh Express, Pet Café and the new Caffe nel Verde which occupies the space left vacant by the former Food Hall.

www.bents.co.uk