Cheers to our restaurant expansion

We’re raising a cupful of good cheer after learning an application to extend our restaurant has been given the go ahead by planners.

We have had the greenlight to revamp and expand our Four Seasons Restaurant to meet growing customer demand.

Our Managing Director, Mike Lind said: “We’re very proud to have received planning permission to redevelop our restaurant, which will ensure we can continue to meet the high standards our customers expect from Monkton Elm. We want to invest in the future of the business and to continue to be a significant employer in the area.

Above is a 3D rendering of the proposed new building

“As a business, we’re committed to the community and to giving an excellent customer experience. Monkton Elm is a destination, family-orientated garden centre and our food offering is an essential part of this.

“The new restaurant will seat 350 people and the food will continue to be prepared by our chefs on-site in a brand new kitchen facility.”

The 950 square metre development, which is approximately double the size of the current restaurant, is anticipated to start next summer (2014) and be completed by Christmas that year. The project investment will total £1.5million, making it one of the biggest catering investment projects in Somerset.

As a result of this investment, we are hoping to create more than 10 new jobs across the whole business. We currently employ around 90 dedicated, experienced and friendly staff.

Mike added: “The planners at Taunton Deane Borough Council have been supportive of this project and very efficient in processing the planning application, which will provide a much needed economic boost to the area.

“During the development of the project, the current restaurant will continue to operate as normal and customers will be largely unaffected by the building work, which will extend across the top section of the outside plant area. We will take all steps possible to minimise any inconvenience to our customers.

“The plan is to make our revamped restaurant as environmentally-friendly as possible with regards heating, cooling and rain water capture systems. The exact details are being finalised during the next few months.”

Malcolm Scott Consultants were instructed to assist with the design and planning of the restaurant expansion.