The independent garden centre group is celebrating what it describes as “a fantastic first year of trading” at its Aldermaston site after turning over more than £6million since its opening last September.

The Rosebourne business – headed up by garden industry veterans John Kitching and Neville Prest – puts catering at the heart of its centres, with  restaurant and food hall accounting for a combined total of 50% of turnover.

Rosebourne operates two garden centres in the UK - in Weyhill, Hampshire and Aldermaston, Berkshire – also acquiring a former Wyevale site in Hampton in Arden at the end of 2018. At the time, the company announced plans to run the site as a standalone centre before looking at potential of incorporating it into the Rosebourne family.

The Aldermaston centre employees 80 staff and incorporates a food hall, butcher and restaurant with table service alongside its garden and gift offer. It is based on a similar model to Rosebourne’s first site in Weyhill, which boasts a £1.9million turnover for the restaurant alone.

On the approach to its one-year anniversary, Rosebourne in Aldermaston will be celebrating its milestone £6million-plus turnover by hosting a birthday party for the public on Sunday, October 6.

Executive director Jon Kitching said: “We’ve enjoyed a very successful first year at Aldermaston, customers tell us how much they love our food offering and the fact we’re a little different to the norm. Our garden furniture and plants are also proving popular.

“Looking to the future, a third site has been purchased in Hampton-in-Arden near Solihull and we have exciting plans to develop this into a fully operational Rosebourne with large food hall and restaurant this winter.”

The birthday event next month will include a guest appearance from Strictly Come Dancing Judge, Craig Revel Horwood. The first 100 customers will also receive a free orchid on arrival and all shoppers will get 10% off their purchases (excluding the restaurant).