Simpsons Invest £1 million on Expansion

New entrance, retail and outdoor performance space earmarked as firm marks 21^st birthday

An award-winning Highland business is to get a fresh new look as it celebrates its 21st anniversary.

Inverness based Simpsons Garden Centre will be transformed later this year following a £1 million expansion that will include a new entrance, more retail capacity, new seating areas and an outdoor performance space.

Around 20 new jobs will be created, adding to the 100 staff already employed at the Inshes site.

A new canopy will provide a covered outdoor space where staff and visiting experts can give gardening talks and demonstrations. It is also hoped the venue can be used for musical performances, cooking demonstrations and family themed events including Simpsons’ annual Festive Winter Wonderland.

Construction is now underway with the new extension due to be in place and operational in the autumn.

Simpsons Garden Centre was established in 2000 and is now a multi-award winning business. It was named Best Destination Garden Centre in Scotland 2019/20 and given Garden Centre of Excellence status by the Garden Centre Association, an accolade reserved only for the 10 best garden centres in the UK.

The new investment comes after a difficult period for the business, with Simpsons closed or subject to restrictions for much of the past year.

However, with visitor numbers to the Highlands expected to rise as demand for staycations soars, managing director Andrew Simpson is cautiously optimistic of a return to growth.

Mr Simpson said: “In 21 years of trading, this has been without doubt the most challenging year we have ever faced, and I want to thank our staff and customers for their support. I hope that we can look to the future with greater confidence.

“I am proud of what we have achieved at Simpsons over the past 21 years, but we are not resting on our laurels. We are committed to investing in the business so that we can continue to deliver an exceptional retail experience for our customers and create new employment opportunities for the local community.”

“We have a bold, exciting vision for Simpsons that we believe will set us apart from other garden centres.”

“We set out to create a business that was rooted in the Highlands and we firmly believe that we have achieved this. The investment we are making this year will ensure Simpsons continues to flourish.”

Last year, Simpsons expanded into the north east after acquiring Happy Plant garden centre in Mintlaw which has been extensively refurbished and rebranded Simpsons at Happy Plant.