New Tewkesbury Dobbies opened by Jo Whiley

The new Dobbies store in Tewkesbury was opened today by broadcaster Jo Whiley.

Joining her was Daisy Payne, gardening presenter for ITV’s This Morning; Councillor John Murphy, mayor of Tewkesbury Borough and a number of Dobbies’ staff members.

The first two enter the new store were local school children and charity representatives.

Jo Whiley said: “I’ve had a fantastic time opening Dobbies’ newest store. With such a diverse range of products, from plants and gardening, to homeware and pets, there’s something for all members of the family, which will make it a brilliant day out.”

At 70,000 square feet, the new store is among the brand’s largest and is expected to serve more than 750,000 customers every year, creating approximately 100 jobs.

Low carbon technologies have been installed to generate heating and lighting, and plant irrigation will be provided by rainwater harvesting. The Forest Stewardship Council certified the timber used in the fitout.

In the car park, EV charging points have been installed while Dobbies has also signed up to the Too Good To Go food surplus scheme, saving edible food from going to landfill.

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Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies Garden Centres, said: “As our biggest store in the Southwest, the opening of Dobbies’ Tewkesbury is an important and exciting milestone, and we look forward to being part of vibrant and visionary upcoming retail destination as the Cotswolds Designer Outlet develops.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in bringing the store to fruition for all their hard work and we hope our customers will enjoy the exceptional shopping experience that Dobbies’ Tewkesbury will offer.

“We also look forward to building on our work in the local community, having already starting supporting Ashchurch Primary School with a new vision for their garden and supplying great value products from the store.”

Beginning in late November, the store will play host to a festive calendar of events, including Christmas Shopping Night in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust and a Santa’s Grotto.

The new Dobbies store is the first phase of a major development, brought together by Robert Hitchins Ltd, which also includes the forthcoming Cotswolds Designer Outlet, expected to open in 2024, and 1,310 homes being built to the south.

Simon Tothill, Property and Development Director of Robert Hitchins Ltd, said: "We are delighted to be working with Dobbies and investing with them into the future in what forms part of a large and exciting mixed-use development, including the Cotswolds Designer Outlet."

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