Klondyke Group Ltd, which operates 24 garden centres across Scotland, Wales and the north of England is to invest millions of pounds in the business after securing a refinancing package.
The family-owned garden retail business plans to expand and renovate five key sites, including its Mortonhall Garden Centre in Edinburgh.

Klondyke has recently switched its banking to HSBC and the money to back the investment has come from the bank's £400m fund to support Scottish enterprises.

The company, which reported a turnover of £48.5m in 2014, recently upgraded its Mayfield Garden Centre in Kelso, and has said this will be used as a model for refurb work at other key sites.

Chief executive Bob Hewitt said: "We are now taking the opportunity to capitalise on recent successes that have led to strong turnover growth. The support from HSBC will enable us to fulfil our ambitions and invest funds back into the business.

"Plants are our passion and we will always stay true to the quality of our products. However, we want to evolve Klondyke sites from traditional garden centres into social places for people to meet friends and family."

As part of the development plans, Klondyke is applying for planning permission to expand its Mortonhall Garden Centre in Edinburgh, with plans for a larger shop, a large new restaurant and an outdoor plant area.

It is also progressing redevelopments in Stokesley and Leeds and has plans for two further stores in Polmont and Northwich.

Head of large corporate for HSBC in Scotland, Doug Baikie said: "Klondyke Group's model for growth has proved to be a success and we are very proud to be backing its plans for the future. Their sites are transforming into full-service retail operations but are still rooted in the company's traditional passion for gardening.

"We want to lend more to Scottish businesses to help them achieve their ambitions and our SME fund is making it easier and cheaper for businesses to borrow."