Hitchin Garden Centre is set to bring a fresh new dining experience to the town as it prepares to open its newly expanded restaurant later this month – including a brand-new carvery.

The development at the Cambridge Road site is part of British Garden Centres' nationwide investment programme and will create 15 new jobs for the local community. Recruitment is already underway for chefs, kitchen staff and restaurant team members, with opportunities for both experienced hospitality professionals and those looking to start their careers in the sector.

The new Gardener's Retreat restaurant will seat up to 250 guests and promises a modern, welcoming space for families, professionals and visitors alike. Diners can expect freshly prepared meals, a bright new décor and the comfort of air conditioning for warm days.

Ricky Towers, Group Restaurant Director at British Garden Centres, said:

"This expansion represents a significant investment not only in our site but in the local area of North Hertfordshire. We are proud to be creating new employment opportunities in Hitchin across a wide range of roles in our newly expanded restaurant. We look forward to welcoming new colleagues who share our passion for great service and hospitality and to diners who appreciate good, quality meals at great value."

The restaurant is currently closed, with a temporary catering solution in place, but the refurbished offering is scheduled to open across the weekend of 25–26 September.

British Garden Centres is the UK's largest family-run garden centre group, with 73 centres nationwide. The Stubbs family launched the business in 1990, and it now employs more than 3,000 people across its garden centres, restaurants, nurseries and leisure park.

Applications for the new Hitchin restaurant roles are open now via the British Garden Centres website.