A 'significant expansion' of a north Norfolk garden centre could see the business open a new retail area and cafe.
Aylsham Garden Centre, on Norwich Road in Aylsham, is seeking permission from Broadland District Council (BDC) to build a single-storey extension to the rear of the existing buildings.
This would provide an additional indoor retail sales area, a restaurant to replace and improve the existing catering provision, and associated kitchen and toilet facilities.
The number of car parking spaces would increase from 52 to 131.
A document supporting the application states that the proposed extension and alterations represent a "significant expansion" of Aylsham Garden Centre.
The extension would allow the owners to offer "a much improved product range, customer experience and service".
The growing business will also offer additional employment opportunities for local people and business opportunities to local suppliers.
The document also states that the impacts of the proposal, specifically in relation to the highway access and visual impact, have been carefully considered and will be minimal.
Gary and Brenda Groucott, owners of Aylsham Garden Centre. (Image: Aylsham Garden Centre)
Aylsham Garden Centre is owned and run by Gary and Brenda Groucott, who have also owned and run Wymondham Garden Centre for 21 years.
They bought the Aylsham business at auction in July 2020. It had been closed for almost twelve months prior to the purchase.
In a statement submitted with the planning application, the Groucotts said: "Before closing, the business had diminished and was run-down.
"We immediately employed a small team who worked really hard to clean and clear the site."
The centre opened again in October 2020 and now employs 24 people with approximately 14 staff on site each day.
"We anticipate that this number will increase considerably as the business expands," the Groucotts said.
They added that since reopening the garden centre, they have received "amazing" support from locals and visitors.
"We know that we are attracting visitors from many parts of Norfolk, many making special journeys to see us.
"We feel that we have quickly become a destination location and hope to become an important part of the community," the Groucotts added.
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