New catering areas at Bradford Garden Centre create 35 new jobs
Improvements to the catering areas at Tong Garden Centre has benefitted the community with the creation of 35 new jobs for local people.
The refurbishment of the 132 seater Orchard restaurant is the latest part of an ambitious and ongoing programme of improvements that have been implemented since the centre was acquired by businessmen Mark Farnsworth and Tom Megginson in May.
In addition to the jobs created, the refurbishment also benefitted the local economy as all of the work was undertaken by West Yorkshire based businesses. The restaurant's tray bakes, scones and quiche are made on site in the state of the art William's Farm Kitchen bakery and 90% of the remaining suppliers to the restaurant are Yorkshire based.
Mark Farnsworth said: "Since we acquired the business in May, we have created 45 new jobs, including 35 in the catering team that services the Orchard Restaurant, the new Coffee Shop and Grasshoppers Adventure Playground café and we have increased the number of catering covers from 100 to 308.
"To celebrate the refurbishment, and to build on the £5,000 that we raised for Martin House Children's Hospice throughout the summer, we will donate 50p from the sale of every Christmas dinner bought in the Orchard Restaurant to this very worthy cause."
In addition to refurbishing the Orchard Restaurant, the new owners have remerchandised the plant area, created a new café and food hall, built a children's adventure playground and café, introduced concessions and have refurbished all areas of the garden centre.
Mr Farnsworth concluded: "In years gone by, Tong was an iconic garden centre in the North of England and we intend to return it to that status and really broaden the appeal of the centre. The changes that we have made, including the much improved catering facilities, will help us really put Tong back on the map."
Tong Garden Centre occupies a 17 acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire's biggest garden centres with 110,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 1,000 cars.
Ends
Photo: The refurbished Orchard Restaurant at Tong Garden Centre
For more information or to arrange an interview with Mark Farnsworth please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on;
Direct line: 01430 871360
Mobile: 07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk
Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
For more information, please visithttp://www.tonggardencentre.co.uk(website currently under construction)
William's Farm Kitchen Hornsea is named after Mark's son, William. For more information, please visitwww.williamsfarmkitchen.co.uk