Dobbies is one of the UK’s largest garden centre retailers with over 32 stores and 145 years’ experience offering expert advice and quality gardening products to customers across the country.
With stores open across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, Dobbies have ambitious expansion plans to build a £1 billion business, taking the number of stores to 100 before the end of the decade. Their aim is to create an exceptional garden, leisure and retail experience to inspire, educate and entertain through the quality of its environment.
The choice of hard landscaping products was fundamental to ensure the new garden centres in Liverpool, Aberdeen, Carlisle, Peterborough and Gillingham integrated well within their surrounds and also met with planning and environmental approval.
Dobbies required a landscape which included a palette of natural and high quality materials which would integrate seamlessly with planted and green areas around the site.
The company approached Kilsaran International to advise on the best use of materials and designs for their hard landscaping solutions to both new build and refurbishment projects. The products needed to be both user-friendly and quick to install to ensure the projects were completed on time and within budget.
Because of heavy trolley usage within the Garden Centres, a product had to be found which would allow ease of access whilst reducing incidents of slips or trips in and around the retail areas. Possible problems with damaged or stained block paving also needed to be addressed to ensure the centre would remain hazard free and look aesthetically pleasing.
Kilsaran suggested the use of Lismore, a contemporary block paving which comes in a large selection of colours and sizes. Lismore Natural, 120x160x60, was specified on the paths and indoor floor covering to give sharp lines and a smooth finish. Slane Rustic block paving in 200x100x80 and Belvedere Curragh Gold paving flags in 400x400x60 were also laid in outdoor plant display areas. All Kilsaran products are manufactured to include recycled content and vapour curved to reduce efflorescence.
Kilsaran’s technical team produced a new product mould to cope with the requirements for a smooth and clean finish, which incorporated no nibs to stop trolley vibrations. The blocks were also laid flush so that trollies could travel over them as easily as possible.
The use of block paving also meant any staining or damage could easily be replaced or repaired unlike a solid concrete floor, giving flexible maintenance well into the future.
With the increasingly erratic British weather, the need to provide a hard landscaping solution to reduce the risk of flooding and dealing with excessive water had to be found. Kilsaran’s design team worked with Dobbies and Engineers Gilbert Ash to provide a suitable sustainable urban drainage system on site.
Kilsaran’s popular Clima-Pave permeable block paving was specified which met planning regulations. Clima-Pave ensures that there is no ponding or surface water collection on paved areas and as it filters contaminants out of the water, it is an environmentally-friendly way to disperse excess water back into the ground or discharged at a controlled rate into the surface water drainage system. The system would also alleviate surface water build-up making for a more pleasant customer experience when visiting the store.
Kilsaran also carried out several site visits and inspections to ensure installation met with all relevant British Standards. The use of block paving also gave increased flexibility when working with the project team. The speed of laying the blocks over waiting for a standard pour concrete floor to cure meant that contractors could finish certain areas as and when required, giving flexibility to the project management of the scheme and helping the construction of the garden centres to run smoothly and efficiently.
Dobbies Garden Centres are well known for their friendly advice and expertise in the horticultural world. Kilsaran’s hard landscaping solutions helped them achieve their vision to create beautiful garden centres which lift the aesthetical appeal and creates a haven of tranquillity for customers.
Excellent working relationships between the project teams meant the schemes were completed on time every time. Good service, quality products, excellent technical support and cost effective solutions all contributed to the smooth running of the projects from start to finish.
Dobbies Garden Centres now have a hard landscaping solution which is durable, fit for purpose and safe, giving its customers a truly unique retail experience.
