News: New Rotherham restaurant opens in Wentworth

A new restaurant has opened for the first time at a popular Rotherham Garden Centre.

The Bothy is the centrepiece to a new extension at Wentworth Garden Centre and "offers an unparalleled level of dining within the locality, set within a contemporary "Arts & Crafts" environment."

Rothbiz reported that plans were approved in 2018 for 9,600 sq ft of space split into three buildings. It has seen the existing conservatory display area replaced with high quality structures, creating a courtyard which links to the existing courtyard.

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The Bothy, which is fully licensed, promises a wide selection from traditional dishes to more creative and contemporary options. It has opened this week serving coffee and cakes, breakfast, lunch and afternoon teas. Sunday lunches are also on the menu.

The destination garden centre is situated in sixteen acres in the former walled kitchen, Italian and Japanese gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse and in the picturesque historic village of Wentworth.

Historically a "Bothy" was a Scottish term for a basic accomodation, usually reserved for gardeners or workers on any reasonably sized estate. Sadly, Wentworth's own original Bothy was demolished long ago but its heritage lives on through the restaurant.

The interior has a look which draws from the British Arts & Crafts movement, of the late 19th Century. Operators say that "the wallpapers are full of detailed patterns featuring both avian and botanical imagery whilst the fabric choices were heavily inspired by "trellis" pattern designs, a perennial favourite of William Morris. Victorian glasshouse style flooring allied to distressed woods and eclectic combinations of banquet and tub chair seating create a relaxed, "lived in" feel, all contributing to a wonderful dining experience."

A spokesperson for Wentworth garden Centre said: "Using only the finest and freshest locally sourced ingredients, our dedicated and highly skilled restaurant team have brought together a seasonal menu of both classic and creative dishes.

"After an 18 month long planning and building process, one or two unforeseen ups and downs and the small matter of a global pandemic, we can't wait to finally welcome you!"

Established for more than 30 years, the family owned independent centre has undergone a number of improvements and investment projects, with historic gardens, a craft centre and a family farm.

Wentworth Garden Centre website


Images: Wentworth Garden Centre

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News: Ship ahoy! Rotherham garden centre's latest investment

With the expansion plans nearing completion, the popular Wentworth Garden Centre in Rotherham, has announced its next new addition.

The destination garden centre is situated in sixteen acres in the former walled kitchen, Italian and Japanese gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse and in the picturesque historic village of Wentworth. It attracts approximately 284,000 visitors each year.

Established for more than 30 years, the family owned independent centre has undergone a number of improvements and investment projects, with historic gardens, a craft centre, family farm and a landmark 260 seat restaurant.

The centre took to social media recently to announce that it would be investing in a new piece of playground equipment - a large explorer ship.

Complete with climbing walls, cargo nets and slides, the ship is from Kompan, the company that created the outdoor adventure area at the MAGNA Science Adventure Centre, and is set to drop anchor at Wentworth next Spring.

Work is currently nearing completion for an extra 9,600 sq ft of space split into three buildings on the site. The expansion involves replacing the conservatory display area with high quality structures designed to create another courtyard which links to the existing courtyard.

The development will allow the operation to extend its Orangery Restaurant and launch a deli food hall and second catering outlet. The new project will provide a further 150-plus seats and enable Wentworth to add different menus, table service and an improved ambience. The new restaurant has a proposed opening date of early November 2019.

Wentworth Garden Centre website

Images: Wentworth Garden Centre / Kompan

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News: Plans approved to enable garden centre to grow

Expansion plans set to create 35 new jobs at the popular Wentworth Garden Centre in Rotherham have been approved.

The destination garden centre is situated in sixteen acres in the former walled kitchen, Italian and Japanese gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse and in the picturesque historic village of Wentworth. It attracts approximately 284,000 visitors each year.

Established for more than 30 years, the family owned independent centre has undergone a number of improvements and investment projects, with historic gardens, a craft centre, family farm and a landmark 260 seat restaurant.

After initial plans were withdrawn, a revised development scheme, drawn up by Malcolm Scott Consultants, is for 9,600 sq ft of space split into three buildings. It involves replacing the existing conservatory display area and replacing it with high quality structures. The design will create a courtyard which links to the existing courtyard.

The development will allow the operation to extend its Orangery Restaurant and launch a deli food hall and second catering outlet.

The consent took several months of negotiation with Rotherham Council to reach agreement due to the extension being a large development located both within the Green Belt, adjacent to Conservation Area, but also due to it being based within the setting of a Listed Building.

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Chris Primett of Malcolm Scott Consultants (MSC), said: "The key to a successful outcome like this is to be realistic in terms of what development is proposed, whist also continuing to make the business case for such a development in such a highly sensitive area.

"This permission will have a marked impact on Wentworth Garden Centre, and we were able to prove that such an extension to the centre would not only be in-keeping with the sensitive surroundings, but also within the local interest, providing a much-used asset for visitors and jobs within the area."

Tony Airey, owner of the centre, said: "The existing Walled Garden Coffee Shop and Restaurant was built about seven years ago. At that time that we thought we might struggle to fill it but experience very quickly dispelled that notion.

"As with all garden centres, catering tends to drive footfall and Wentworth is no exception. This new project will provide a further 150-plus seats and enable us to add different menus, table service and an improved ambience. Afternoon teas are very important to our operation, and this development will give us all the options we need.

"MSC was vital to achieving this result in terms of our initial "shopping list". Close liaison with the planning authority which has developed over several years with Chris Primett and his colleagues working on our behalf, has definitely helped in achieving our aims.

"As a business, we have always tried to work with rather than against the planning authority and this fostering of good relationships definitely helps when looking at projects in the medium to long term."

Wentworth Garden centre website

Images: Wentworth Garden Centre

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News: Expansion plans back in for blooming Rotherham garden centre

The popular Wentworth Garden Centre in Rotherham has resubmitted expansion plans that could create 35 new jobs.

The destination garden centre is situated in sixteen acres in the former walled kitchen, Italian and Japanese gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse and in the picturesque historic village of Wentworth. It attracts approximately 284,000 visitors each year.

Established for more than 30 years, the family owned independent centre has undergone a number of improvements and investment projects, with historic gardens, a craft centre, family farm and a landmark 260 seat restaurant.

An earlier planning application for a new courtyard development was withdrawn last year and now updated plans have been submitted.

The latest application, drawn up by Malcolm Scott Consultants, explains: "The application was withdrawn following concerns expressed by the case officer regarding the height of the two storey proposed development and its location in the Green Belt. The planning and conservation Officer also raised a concern regarding the height of the proposed development and its impact upon the wider setting of the Grade II* Listed Historic Park and Garden.

"The Highway Authority also required additional information regarding the adequacy of the existing car parking capacity to meet the increase demand should the development be approved."

The proposals have been amended so that the two storey high building has been reduced to a single storey. Updated information on the car parking and increased traffic has also been included.

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The garden centre, leisure areas and nursery employs 132 full and part time staff (plus casual staff) and the plans explain the need for expansion with office, staff and catering facilities all outgrown.

The plans add that the existing customer catering facility is now overcrowded, the kitchen facilities are working beyond their design capacity and the customer toilet facilities are inadequate.

A revised development scheme is for 9,600 sq ft of space split into three buildings. It involves replacing the existing conservatory display area and replacing it with high quality structures. The design will create a courtyard which links to the existing courtyard.

Along with new kitchens and staff offices, there is also set to be a small retail area, a food hall and a new coffee shop to relieve pressure on the existing Walled Garden Coffee Shop.

With the growth of the business, the garden centre is looking to employ a further 15 full time staff and 20 part time (plus casual staff).

Developed in the late 18th century as the pleasure grounds and kitchen garden by the Fitzwilliams of Wentworth Woodhouse, from 1750 until 1786, the gardens were formally reorganised into a kitchen garden. Created under the supervision of renowned York architect John Carr, the kitchen gardens' principal role was to provide an abundance of fresh fruit, herbs, vegetables and cut flowers for the house throughout the year.

Foundations for the 12 foot high perimeter walls were begun with the North and South facing walls being designated "hot" walls (they once contained an ingenious system of heated flues). Glasshouses erected against these walls would have supplied the finest and most delicate fruits such as peaches, melons, grapes, pineapples and apricots, a major challenge for gardeners of the day.

Inevitably, much of the cultivated area fell into disrepair after the Second World War, until the creation of the garden centre in 1976. The gardens, which include a rock garden created within and around an old stone quarry in about 1868, were recently accepted into the RHS Partner Gardens scheme.

Wentworth Garden centre website

Images: Malcolm Scott Consultants

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News: Rotherham garden centre set to grow

Business is blooming at the popular Wentworth Garden Centre in Rotherham which has outlined expansion plans that could create 30 new jobs.

The destination garden centre is situated in sixteen acres in the former walled kitchen, Italian and Japanese gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse and in the picturesque historic village of Wentworth.

Established for more than 30 years, the family owned independent centre has undergone a number of improvements and investment projects, with historic gardens, a craft centre, family farm and a landmark 260 seat restaurant.

A planning application has now been submitted for a new courtyard development, replacing the conservatory display area with a new catering facility.

The plans, drawn up by Malcolm Scott Consultants, include a 6,300 sq ft, two storey building for a supplementary restaurant with staff facilities including offices and welfare areas. Walling in the existing canopy will allow the garden centre to optimise floor space in the courtyard shops.

The plans state: "The intention of the facility is to offer existing customers an alternative to the Walled Garden Coffee Shop which will relieve pressure on the existing set up an reduce numbers of people leaving to "lunch" elsewhere rather than waiting."

If approved, the proposed development is expected to add a further 30 employees to the existing 135.

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The garden centre recently obtained planning permission to expand their car park to allow more year round accessible parking.

Based in the Green Belt location, the applicants need to demonstrate very special circumstances why the plans should be approved. In this case, it is based on the job creation and a high quality structure replacing display conservatories. The new development is replacing an area already used for retail and supports the existing permitted business at this site.

The Airey family acquired the garden centre in 1983 and sowed the seeds of a long term vision to create a "destination garden centre with a difference aimed at all ages and interests from young families to senior gardening connoisseurs."

Wentworth Woodhouse is one of the country's grandest stately homes. The Grade I listed mansion has recently been acquired by a preservation trust which aims to preserve the house and grounds on a long term sustainable basis and raise funds for repairs and other essential works.

Developed in the late 18th century as the pleasure grounds and kitchen garden by the Fitzwilliams of Wentworth Woodhouse, from 1750 until 1786, the gardens were formally reorganised into a kitchen garden. Created under the supervision of renowned York architect John Carr, the kitchen gardens principal role was to provide an abundance of fresh fruit, herbs, vegetables and cut flowers for the house throughout the year.

Foundations for the 12 foot high perimeter walls were begun with the North and South facing walls being designated "hot" walls (they once contained an ingenious system of heated flues). Glasshouses erected against these walls would have supplied the finest and most delicate fruits such as peaches, melons, grapes, pineapples and apricots, a major challenge for gardeners of the day.

Inevitably, much of the cultivated area fell into disrepair after the Second World War, until the creation of the garden centre in 1976. The gardens, which include a rock garden created within and around an old stone quarry in about 1868, were recently accepted into the RHS Partner Gardens scheme.

Wentworth Garden Centre website

Images: Malcolm Scott / Wentworth Garden Centre

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