Dobbies lays down roots at Designer Outlet Cotswolds

A major shopping development which includes much of the Thames Valley in its catchment, has announced a 75,000 sq ft letting to Dobbies Garden Centres.

The new garden centre will be the leisure anchor for Designer Outlet Cotswolds, a 195,000 sq ft shopping village at J9 of the M5 near Tewkesbury and will sit alongside 90 retail and food and beverage units.

The garden centre itself will incorporate a food hall, cookshop, pet department, 500-seat restaurant, soft play area and its own 500-space car park.

Both the designer outlet and garden centre are part of a wider development by Robert Hitchins which also includes 850 homes, a school and a local centre adjacent to an existing M&S supermarket, Starbucks and BP petrol station.

Infrastructure works to open the 180-acre site for development are due to start in Autumn 2020 with the garden centre and outlet village planned to open in Autumn 2022.

Simon Tothill, property and development director for Robert Hitchins, said: “A Dobbies Garden Centre as the leisure anchor for Designer Outlet Cotswolds will offer a tremendous attraction for customers.

“Working closely with ROS Retail Outlet Shopping, one of the top outlet operators in Europe, we have managed to secure strong interest from major global brands which we hope to announce in the near future.

“We have put much thought into the architectural appeal of the scheme and the spectrum of choice for visitors when we open. Dobbies will be a significant addition to the development.”

Gilbert Evans acted for Robert Hitchens.