Notcutts Garden Centre in Woodbridge celebrates 125th anniversary with launch of refurbished site

A garden centre has celebrated its 125th anniversary with the launch of its fully refurbished site, including a new restaurant.

Notcutts is a family-owned business based in Woodbridge, which was first established in 1897.

The company has since become a leading name in the horticulture industry, with 18 garden centres across the country, including the first one they opened in Suffolk.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Woodbridge site, based in Ipswich Road, has undergone a phased modernisation, with a new 250-seater restaurant installed as part of the works.

Work has also included a new entrance area built at the front of the store, as well as a restored woodland nature walk which customers can use for free.

Last Friday saw Woodbridge mayor Sue Bale and family and colleagues at Notcutts officially open the refurbished garden centre with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Caroline Notcutt, vice-chairman and great-granddaughter of founder Roger Crompton Notcutt, said: "It was wonderful to welcome customers, colleagues and friends of Notcutts to join the official opening of our new-look Woodbridge garden centre and to launch our special year of anniversary celebrations.

"It is inspiring to realise how much Notcutts has grown and diversified over the past 125 years, while our passion for gardening and expertise has remained at the heart of all we do.

"In this celebratory year, I’m excited to look to the future of Notcutts and how we can continue to inspire the next generation of gardeners.”

A year of events has been planned for the anniversary, including the planting of 2,500 trees across their 18 site locations.