Revolutionary new garden centre to open in Albany

Revolutionary new garden centre to open in Albany

Palmers Planet to redefine the concept of a gardening store

Palmers is bringing a European-inspired new concept in garden centres to New Zealand.

At the state-of-the-art new Palmers Planet store in Albany, customers will not only be able to buy plants and get garden inspiration, but also visit a florist, shop for home wares, outdoor furniture, jewellery and gifts in the large retail area, and relax in the spacious licensed cafe while their children burn off steam in the playground.

“It’s the first time a true European-style garden centre has opened in New Zealand,” says Janalle McMeekin, Marketing Manager for Palmers. “Kiwis have become used to finding a cafe nestled into a corner of their local garden store, but the Palmers Planet store will take this a step further.

“It will be a pleasant destination in itself, for gardeners, shoppers and casual diners. This is a trend that’s sweeping Europe – particularly the UK and The Netherlands – as time-poor people gravitate towards one-stop shopping.

“At Palmers Planet, shoppers will be able to tick a bunch of items off their lists at once, from picking up a pot plant to buying a gift, and then stop for lunch, a coffee or even a glass of wine.”

The Palmers Planet store will open in September, and will employ about 45 people, including gardening specialists.

Janalle says the centre’s handy location on Greville Road, just off the northern motorway at Albany, will make the architecturally designed cafe, Botannix, an ideal venue for business meetings (complete with Wi-Fi access). It’s also expected to be popular with coffee groups (with its child-friendly area) and garden clubs, and will give Palmers the space to host workshops and talks.

It will be the first purpose-built garden centre to open in New Zealand in six years. A second Palmers Planet store is being planned for Hamilton.

Palmers has incorporated sustainability principles into the design of the new Albany centre. Four underground rainwater tanks with a combined 70,000 litre capacity should collect enough water to irrigate the plants at the centre year-round, and a glazed internal atrium will allow the centre to harness passive solar energy in winter.

A feature of the centre will be its spectacular garden displays, including a “green wall”, designed to inspire hobby gardeners.

Its 1000 square metre retail centre will offer a range of products, from barbecues, spa pools and trampolines; to hats, scarves, books and body care products; to wall art, kitchen utensils, and gourmet deli items.

As well as having a professional florist on hand, the Palmers Planet will offer a full landscape and design service.

Palmers Planet in Albany will be the company’s 17th store. The first was opened in Glen Eden more than 50 years ago.

ENDS

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