THE garden centre and gift shop at a specialist college near Oswestry will be welcoming back customers from next Monday.

Derwen College Garden Centre and Gift Shop, based in Gobowen, will be open to customers on Monday, July 20, with safety measures in place.

The Garden Café will also be open, allowing customers to enjoy homemade refreshments.

Commercial manager Pete Evans said that the team were over the moon to welcome back customers.

He said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome back customers to the Garden Centre, Gift Shop, and Garden Cafe.

“During lockdown, we have been grateful for all the messages of support, and now it’s wonderful to be finally reopen our doors, again.

“We have been incredibly busy making sure that the shopping and café experience is safe and enjoyable, and are excited to meet and greet everyone soon.”

The Garden Centre and Gift Shop opens with a grand sale in selected areas including special offers on David Austin roses, shrubs, alpines, seasonal plants, and gift shop ranges.

Regular customers will find some changes at the garden centre to keep staff and shoppers safe, including a new one-way system which will have a separate entrance and exit.

Shoppers are asked to use contactless payment where possible and to make use of the hand sanitiser stations.

Staff will be available at the entrance and the exit to guide and support customers to shop safely.

The garden centre gift shop will offer the usual favourites such as home-made cakes, jams and chutneys, and gift items made by students.

It will also be selling a range of hand-made cotton face masks with a variety of designs available. The gift shop food area will offer a fabulous new range of fruit and vegetables.

The Garden Café has a specially selected menu, including customer favourites, home-made cakes and hot and cold drinks.

The café will feature table service to reduce contact between staff and customers. Tables have been spaced out to maintain social distancing rules, and contactless payment is encouraged where possible.

The Garden Centre will be open seven days a week from 10am-4pm and the Garden Cafe will be open from 10am-3pm.

For more information, visit www.visitderwen.co.uk