Goldcliff Garden Centre in Ringmer is set to expand its services, having obtained approval for a new catering offering.
Plans for a new catering facility, to be housed within a storage container, were approved by Lewes District Council on December 29.
The structure, measuring 15 square metres, will be clad in timber to offer a more appealing look.
The garden centre is accessed from Old Uckfield Road (Image: Google)
The development aims to enhance the current experience for existing garden centre patrons and attract visitors year-round regardless of the weather.
The garden centre, which opened in 1991, has gradually expanded its services over the years.
Today, it includes a main garden centre building, outdoor sales areas, growing areas, ancillary storage buildings, and parking facilities.
The introduction of the catering facility is seen as a strategic move to reduce the dependence on seasonality and make the business more resilient to the changing weather patterns in the UK.
The spot where the container will go (Image: Goldcliff)
The proposal noted that UK is experiencing more extreme weather conditions, which poses a significant challenge to the horticultural sector.
By “weatherproofing” the business, Goldcliff Garden Centre aims to sustain its operations throughout the year.
According to data from the Garden Centre Association included in the application, catering typically contributes 20–25 per cent of garden centre turnover.
The inclusion of a food and beverage provision is anticipated to encourage year-round visits, particularly during the traditionally quieter winter months when the horticultural sector usually sees reduced activity.
The garden centre opened in 1991 (Image: Google)
The metal container, which will house the catering service, will feature a flat roof and measure 6.06 metres along the north and south elevations and 2.44 metres along the east and west elevations, with a total height of 2.59 metres.
Beyond weatherproofing the business, the new catering service is also expected to meet customer demands.
Customers have frequently requested a café on-site, the application said, as many now expect this service to be standard at a garden centre.
While long-term aspirations for the site continue to be considered, the introduction of a catering offer in this format will allow the service to be swiftly and economically established.
Council planning officers noted that the site is well-shielded from external views, ensuring no impact on the wider countryside.
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