50 new jobs to be created at Haskins Roundstone Garden Centre

Haskins Roundstone Garden Centre, on the A259 at Angmering, will start building on land to its rear, currently occupied by commercial greenhouses, in April.

Warren Haskins, chairman of the £28m-turnover garden centre group founded by his great-grandfather in Dorset in 1882, said: “We are delighted to unveil the design of our new centre to our many loyal customers.

“The new centre will not only offer a bright and spacious environment for people and plants, but fantastic facilities for serious or casual gardeners and it will be a great place for family and friends to meet.”

All 75 staff are being kept on and the existing business will remain open while its replacement is under construction.

Recruitment for the 50 new jobs – full-time and part-time posts – will begin in September, with the official opening of the new centre due to take place in March next year, followed by demolition of its predecessor to make way for a 500-spaces car park.

Julian Winfield, chief executive of the group, and general manager at Roundstone when Haskins bought the centre in 2000, said: “People need not worry about any change of our support to the community as our commitment to local organisations and charities will remain a priority.”