Tong Garden Centre applies to open second site in Leeds

The owners of Tong Garden Centre have applied for planning permission to open a Leeds site. Pictured Joe Appleyard, plant supervisor, checks the lilies. Picture Tony Johnson.

Owners of the Tong Lane site announced the potential new venture on Sunday, October 11.

The new site would be called the 'Tingley Garden Centre' and be built on the Acanthus Golf Centre, just off the M62.

Not only would the site have a garden centre, it would also boast a 400 seat restaurant, indoor and outdoor play area and a 400 square metre food hall.

The scheme will incorporate the existing golf centre building as the hub for an adventure play area set for eight to 14-year-olds.

Owners said they hope to make 200 jobs if planning permission is approved.

Our MD, Mark Farnsworth said: “Despite the challenges of having to close temporarily, the garden trade sector has proved resilient to the challenges that Covid-19 has presented, which gives us confidence for the future.

“We have made no secret of our ambitions to be a multi-site operation.

"We have been working on the Tingley opportunity for over two years, so we feel confident that we can deliver a fabulous experience for our visitors.

"We have learnt many valuable lessons in the five years that we have been growing Tong and we think that Tingley Garden Centre and Adventure Playground will be a great addition to the community in South Leeds.

“If our application is successful, we hope to start developing Tingley Garden Centre in February or March next year, with a view to opening in March 2022.”