A LANDMARK Taunton garden centre is set to expand its restaurant – as part of a major renovation project for the future.

Pleydell Smithyman Ltd has applied to Somerset Council on behalf of Monkton Elm Garden Centre for permission to extend the outlet’s restaurant seating areas.

The scheme would see the internal and exterior areas of the popular eatery at the Monkton Heathfield garden centre extended.

The application said the changes would help ‘weatherproof’ the business – which it said was vital for garden centres.

“Horticultural businesses are traditionally ‘fair weather’ and trade is very dependent upon good weather particularly during the garden centre peak trading period of March-June,” it said.

Monkton Elm Garden Centre is surrounded by the Monkton Heathfield urban extension. Picture: Google

“In addition, retailers are facing tough competition from online shopping which has boomed over recent years.

“It is estimated that in May 2024, over 26% of all retail sales in the UK were carried out online (Office for National Statistics).

“Garden centres are having to find ways to encourage customers to visit their site rather than shop online, and one of the ways they can do this is to offer facilities and experiences that they would not get shopping online.

“Our clients recognise that food and beverage provision is an integral part of the modern garden centre offer and customers expect to find such a facility when they visit.

“Current trading figures collated by the Garden Centre Association suggest that catering generally accounts for 15-20% of garden centre turnover and is therefore an integral part of the garden centre offer.”

In response, Monkton Elm is hoping to expand the restaurant area by more than 200 sqm, with the extension roof overhanging by around 2.5m, providing a covered outdoor seating area to replace the existing.

“This will enable a more spacious internal layout to be provided with increased space around the tables and chairs which will be particularly beneficial for those with pushchairs and in wheelchairs,” the application went on.

“A small office/storage area will be included within the extension area.

“The existing restaurant internal area will also be reconfigured as part of the work, making more efficient use of the space available.

“The proposed extension roof will overhang to replace an existing canopy to be removed in order to relocate a covered outdoor seating area, enabling visitors to sit outside during periods of good weather.”

The current outdoor seating will be replaced. Picture: Pleydell Smithyman/Somerset Council

The application also mentions a “phased long-term masterplan to secure the future of Monkton Elm Garden Centre”.

It comes as land around the site is earmarked for further new homes, adding to the recently-built first phase of the Monkton Heathfield urban development, which saw more than 1,000 properties built.

The restaurant extension is the “first step” of that plan, the application said.

“This masterplan has been developed over time and will represent a wider repositioning of the business to rebalance it, taking into account changes in the garden centre market and customer expectations and upcoming changes in the local area,” it added.