The newly re-opened Aylings Garden Centre at Trotton near Petersfield – formerly Maple Ridge Garden Centre – has been fitted out by Red Cherry Shopfittings in a major re-vamp.

Maple Ridge closed last November after its previous owner, Eco Warrior Resorts, went into liquidation. The new owners, a group of six Italian friends and business partners, bought the business from the liquidators and re-instated the family name of Aylings in honour of Henry Ayling, who started the original business in 1934. It was subsequently run by his son George and other members of the family until they sold out it in 1999. Eco Warrior Resorts acquired it in 2015 with the aim of redeveloping it but ran into difficulties.

The centre, which the new owners say will be run as “a traditional garden centre” but also has a new tea room and restaurant, was officially re-opened by Priscilla Ayling, the founder’s grand-daughter.

In mid February this year, the new owners approached Red Cherry Shopfittings to refit it from scratch in time for a planned re-opening on 1 April. After input from all six partners, final plans were put together and the goods delivered. The till points and counters were manufactured on site and a team of fitters completed the installation on the 25 March, leaving the Aylings team a full week in which to do the merchandising.

The team at Red Cherry fitted Evolve50i shelving in a Jura white finish, with slatted maple back panels throughout to create an up-market look. All the wall bays have barge board trims to the headers and plinths.

Aylings Commercial director Michele Gaudelli said the six partners had all run successful businesses, including a garden nursery, craft businesses and farming.

For information about Red Cherry, contact Michael Bridgeman at Red Cherry on 01795 473485 or visit the website.