Customers praise new £15m centre.
Barton Grange finally opened its doors to the public on Wednesday March 26.

After teething problems saw it miss its Easter opening target, a delighted Guy Topping, md, told diyweek.net: "After so many years of planning and a hectic year of building the garden centre, it was great to open the doors at last and welcome in the customers.

"All the staff have worked so hard to make the centre look as fabulous as it does and we are absolutely delighted with the feedback we've had."

Almost 1,200 people looked around the new centre on opening day.

The night before, the centre had a special preview evening for neighbours of the site.

The £15 million centre – one of the biggest in the country – comprises a sales area four times bigger than the Barton centre it replaces, and a car park for 550 cars.

An 80-berth canal marina, off the Lancaster canal which borders the site, will open in May.

The Riverside Cafe is open, but work is still ongoing in Willows Restaurant and the Farm Shop, both of which are expected to open in the next four weeks or so.

Work began on the 52-acre site in April last year.