The first stage of the new £5 million garden centre in County Antrim has been declared open this week, by the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey.

Colemans Garden Centre, which earlier this year announced its multimillion pound renovation project, was opened by Mayor Councillor Paul Hamill at the event this Tuesday.

Providing entertainment at the official opening of the garden centre in Templepatrick were members of Templepatrick Primary School Children’s Choir, who were joined by customers and guests who joined to celebrate the official launch of the new 23,000 square feet under cover site.

Speaking at the official opening on Tuesday 24th October, Managing Director of Colemans Garden Centre Richard Fry, commented: “It is a real delight to unveil today to the public, our new garden shop and restaurant. Colemans Garden Centre has been such a popular and welcoming establishment in the Templepatrick area for half a decade now, and so it is a real privilege to be able to join together with those who have followed its journey for so many years, to usher in the next chapter of Colemans.”

The initial stages of Colemans investment project will be followed soon after, by phase two of the renovation plans – an additional 32,000 square feet of retail space in Easter 2018.

My Fry added: “We look forward to seeing all our customers, both old and new, over the coming months, and to the next phase of our development plans. By adding an eclectic mix of exclusive brands, including the Edinburgh Woollen Mill, to our repertoire of products and services, we hope to be able to cater to a wide variety of tastes and to open up the gardening market to a much more diverse audience.”

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Hamill said: “It gives me great pleasure today to be able to declare this new £5million garden centre as officially open. The new retail space, and the new 220 seater restaurant are particularly impressive, and are a real credit to the development teams here at Colemans who have been working hard on the renovation plans over the last few months. I look forward to seeing the fruits of their labour, and to seeing the local community enjoying the new lease of life which has been brought to the centre by this investment project, as is seen so evidently today. I would also to take this opportunity to wish the 100 new members of staff who will be joining the Colemans team over the coming months, all the best in their new positions. Here’s to a fruitful and enjoyable future at Colemans Garden Centre.”