A multi-million pound renovation will see Percy Thrower's Garden & Leisure in Shrewsbury developed into a destination garden centre, with a Waitrose store built next door.
Three years ago parent company of Garden & Leisure, The Garden Centre Group, revealed it was in discussions with Waitrose over the redevelopment of its Percy Thrower's site in Oteley Road.

And now it has been confirmed Percy Thrower's will be renovated and a new Waitrose store will be built on land next to the garden centre.

The £40m project will see the current 4,500sq m garden centre transformed into a new 6,300sq m destination garden centre, complete with a restaurant, separate cafe, children's play areas and expanded parking for shoppers.

Percy Thrower's Garden & Leisure will remain open during this transformation, with the new garden centre expected to open in 2015.

Estates Director at TGCG, Steve Masters, said: "We are delighted to announce our investment in this much loved garden centre.

"With beautiful garden and merchandise display areas, a number of eating and additional concession outlet facilities as well as room to roam and play inside and out, the centre will offer our customers a more modern, high-quality environment to inspire them in the garden and offer a delightful experience for a day out with the family."

Building contractor Speller Metcalfe has been chosen to oversee the works. Joint MD at Speller Metcalfe, Steve Speller added: "Percy Thrower is a household name in the West Midlands and we hope that this development will become a fitting legacy for someone who was so passionate about gardening.

"As a local contractor who knows the area well, we will be doing everything we can to minimise any disruption to customers, which will include keeping the existing centre fully operational and open to the public throughout the building works."

TGCG acquired Percy Thrower's in 2000 and the centre has been on the site for more than 40 years.