Narey's Garden Centre in Stowmarket opens café

Narey's Garden Centre in Stowmarket is hoping to attract new customers by opening a café.

The eatery, which offers full English breakfasts as well as lunches, coffee, tea and cake, has now opened within the Spikes Lane business's walls.

It is part of a NatWest-backed refurbishment for an undisclosed amount, which has also seen a toilet refit.

Narey's has been a popular family-run business since 1955 and current owner David Narey feels this has potential to attract first-time shoppers.

He said: “People like to spend time in our garden centre, but we’ve noticed an ever-increasing need for a food and drink offering for our customers looking to make the most of their visit.

"This is why we’ve decided to diversify by creating a new café and expand our giftware ranges, to encourage customers to make an afternoon of the garden centre and to enjoy all we have to offer.

“Narey’s has something for everyone, from a wide selection of plants and gardening essentials to homeware and gifts for those special moments, and now, a place to sit and enjoy a coffee and bite to eat.”

Four jobs have been created from the café opening - which takes the centre's workforce to 12.

Mr Narey added: "When it is not gardening time or the weather is bad, we still want to be a destination.

"People can now come here for a drink or a meal and have the chance to browse our items - we sell all sorts of things.

"It has been going very well so far, I have seen lots of people come to the café who I have never seen in the garden centre before."

Francis Moss, relationships manager at NatWest, said: "Not only will the new café create local jobs, it will also become a hub for the local community.

"We wish the team the best of luck as they launch their new venture.”