£500,000 nursery plans for Bridport welcomed (From Thisisdorset)
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£500,000 nursery plans for Bridport welcomed
10:00am Saturday 23rd March 2013 in Latest By Rene Gerryts
VISION OF THE FUTURE: Brother and sister Becky and Charlie Groves with their plans for revamping the nursery
REDEVELOPED Groves Nursery could be a gateway landmark to be proud of if plans get the go-ahead.
Bridport town councillors heard about the £500,000 expansion plans from partner Charlie Groves at this month’s planning committee meeting.
Mr Groves said the nursery was one of the first and last things people saw when they came into town and they wanted to make the site more attractive and give a better impression of the area.
He said: “Groves is proud to be a West Dorset business through and through.
“Established in 1866 in Piddletrenthide, my grandfather purchased the current site, which was home to the Bridport Football Club, in the 1960s.”
Since then Groves had become a major all-year-round employer, he said, which was important in an area so heavily reliant on seasonal tourist industries.
He said the five-year refurbishment plan would improve access to the site, make for a better shopping experience and be a way of combating competition from rivals.
Parking would be better designed and spaces would increase from 61 to 122.
Councillors welcomed the plans saying they were cleverly designed.
Coun Ros Kayes said Groves was one of the main employers and drew people into the area from near and far.
She said: “I think it is really excellent – and a really brave time to invest.”
Coun Martin Ray said: “I am really looking forward to it.”
Committee chairman Sarah Williams said hopefully it would create more jobs in the future. Councillors congratulated Mr Groves and welcomed the scheme.
