DIYWEEK.net

The Derbyshire site of tableware manufacturer Denby is poised for a dramatic new development that will see the addition of a garden centre, hotel, pub and retail complex.
The plan was approved yesterday by Amber Valley Borough Council but must now go to the Secretary of State for sign-off.

Denby has its factory, visitor centre and large cookshop on the site, which it leases from its landlord. However, Denby's public relations manager, Linda Salt, told diyweek.net that Denby is fully involved in the new plans.

"We've got quite a thriving visitor centre," she said. "It's a tourist destination, with 200,000 visitors a year, and if we've got a little more variety for them that number will grow. We have a very tiny garden emporium at the moment and a little village of shops, but we want to expand the offer we have."

She said it was too early to say who would run the garden centre but that it was unlikely to be competition for Denby's existing retail offer at the site. "Not really: it's in the best interests for us to reach an agreement," she said.

The visitor centre already employs 95 people, but the development is likely to create 600 new jobs.

Denby, which is owned by Valco Capital Partners, increased sales 5% to £38m last year. It acquired Burleigh in 2010 and Poole Pottery Retail and Hartley Greens Pottery in 2011.