Brigg Expecting Great Frosts!

Tuesday, 4 November 2003

Seasonal Frosts

Frosts Garden Centre in the market town of Brigg is currently undergoing dramatic changes. Formerly owned by Mr Richard Frost, the Garden Centre was bought by Charles and Robert Stubbs, the owners of Woodthorpe Hall Garden Centre, over three years ago. Since then, the brothers have transformed the small and dull site, into a contemporary 'Garden Leisure Centre,' introducing much more than just gardening accessories.

A brand-new, fully-furnished restaurant with seating for around 180 inside and more outside on a decking area was built. Wasteland was utilised to extend the landscaping and plant departments, new toilets were installed and a children's play area and large goat pen were introduced. An overgrown, neglected stream which ebbed through the midst of the Garden Centre was landscaped and transformed into a picturesque visual feature to exhibit the Garden Centres beautiful range of plants, trees and statues. There was even space for franchises such as 'Brigg Conservatories' to display a range of conservatories and summerhouses.

Anne and Elaine

In 2002 the subsequent transformations made to Frosts Garden Centre prompted national recognition, as Frosts got to the last three of 'UK Garden Centre of the year.' This achievement, combined with the proven past success of the garden centre, means that it is only natural that the growth of Frosts is continuing.

Construction for a brand new shop is currently underway, which is estimated to be ten-times the size of the shop that they presently have, including a second floor, offices, toilets and an aquatics centre. The shop will include a wide range of gardening products and introduce new lines, such as cane furniture, gifts, well known clothing brands and house plants.

The owner, Charles Stubbs remarks; 'Its going to be a day out- somewhere for Brigg residents to enjoy. Its not just a Garden Centre - it's a Garden Leisure Centre'

John on site

With such immense expansion, Frosts forecasts to be the largest Garden Centre in the region and thus aims to cater for a greater number of customers, expecting visitors from at least a 100 mile radius.

With a mere one hundred and fifty car parking spaces available at present, the new car park will accommodate over one thousand cars. A new road has been installed to assist the predicted excess traffic and make the entrance into the Garden Centre safer for all road users. The Vineyard Restaurant, 'a quality eating outlet in it's own right', will then be extended to cater for five hundred. The enlargement will thus create seventy new jobs for the Brigg area, offering great new facilities to the region.

Water garden

When questioned whether the development and success of the Garden Centre, will effect local businesses in Brigg; Rod Austin, General Manager of Frosts replied; 'We offer a completely different range of products and services. The Garden Centre will attract people from further afield, who will see what Brigg has to offer and so benefit local businesses. It will also bring more trade and job opportunities into the town.

Construction is estimated to be completed in February 2004, by which time Frosts aims to be more successful than its predecessor, Woodthorpe Hall, estimating turnover of two-three times that Woodthorpe manages.

The owners of Frosts intend to have a chain of Garden Centres throughout the country, focusing Frosts and Woodthorpe Hall as stepping stones onto their next project. Mr Charles Stubbs commented: 'Frosts will be at the new cutting edge of Garden Centres and set the standard for the rest by being the best'.

Frosts Garden Centre can be contacted on 01652 650 484

Feature written by Elizabeth Jane Dale