The latest phase in the Bents journey has been completed and the centre has announced the opening of six new retail departments, including outdoor clothing retailer Trespass and arts and craft specialists C-Craft.
Valued at £5.1m, the 37-week project has culminated in an additional 30,000 sq ft of retail space on the ground floor together with new offices, and future expansion space for retail at first floor level.

The work has also included the construction of a major new roundabout, providing the Warrington based garden and home centre with a prominent entrance to its extended car park, 40 community allotments and a new community play area.

It forms part of Bents' vision to become the ultimate garden, home and leisure destination in the North West, by providing customers with more choice in a bigger and better store.

The new departments includea 9,000sq ft food hall, 3,000sq ft cook shop, 4,000sq ft children's boutique, a 4,400sq ft Nevisport|Trespass concession and 4,400sq ft C-Crafts. A 5,000sq ft pet zone called The Pet Place will also be included, boasting a deli, shop, spa and groom room and even a pet café.

Bents Home and Garden managing director Matthew Bent said: "We've come a long way since the Bents' business was established by my grandparents nearly 75 years ago and the journey so far has been hugely enjoyable. Despite growing in size we want to retain all the great things we already do, keeping the feeling and ambiance we have worked hard to create, but in a bigger store.

"Whilst never forgetting our gardening heritage, we've worked hard to create a destination that is no longer just focused on the garden but also encompasses home, lifestyle, leisure and a day out and we feel our new retail departments help us achieve just that."

Bents has also opened an additional dining area, bringing the total number of dining options at the Centre to five: The Fresh Approach Restaurant, Café Lago, Fresh Express, Pet Café and the new Caffe nel Verde which occupies the space left vacant by the former Food Hall.