What's New at The Otley Garden Centre Restaurant Blooms?

Anyone who fancies a day out in Yorkshire knows that a trip to a good garden centre is about more than just plants. It's about having a lovely wander, getting some inspiration, and, let's be honest, finishing with a cracking cup of tea and a slice of cake. The team at the Otley Garden Centre knows this well, and they’ve just given their popular restaurant a massive glow-up. The place has been completely revamped, and to celebrate, they even had a special mayoral visit to check out all the exciting improvements.

A proper makeover for a local favourite

The restaurant, which many will know and love, has been given a new name: Blooms. And it's not just the name that’s new. Yorkshire Garden Centres, the group that now owns the Otley site, has put a huge £150,000 investment into the project. That’s a serious amount of cash, and it shows. The whole point of this big refurbishment was to give the catering at the garden centre a fresh new feel, bringing it in line with the other fantastic restaurants in the group, which includes centres in places like Tong and Bingley. This isn't just a quick paint job; it's a complete rethink of the dining experience, making Blooms a destination in its own right. The goal was to create a comfortable, stylish, and welcoming space for everyone, from families having lunch to friends catching up over coffee.

So what’s actually changed?

It’s one thing to hear about an investment, but what does it actually mean for someone popping in for a bite to eat? Well, the changes are pretty brilliant. The team behind the refurbishment has thought about everything to make the restaurant experience better. Here’s a quick rundown of the key improvements:

• A Fresh Look: The whole restaurant has new décor. It's been designed to feel modern yet comfortable, taking inspiration from the beautiful local area of Yorkshire.
• Brand New Menu: The kitchen has cooked up a completely new menu, offering fresh dishes that are bound to become new favourites.
• Fancy New Crockery: Sometimes it’s the little things. All the food and drinks are now served on lovely new crockery, which just makes everything feel a bit more special.
• Table Service: This is a big one. No more juggling trays while trying to find a table. At Blooms, it’s all table service. Just find your seat, relax, and let the team take care of you. It's a simple change that makes the whole experience much more relaxing.
• A Touch of Local Art: To really connect with the community, the restaurant now features limited edition prints from celebrated Yorkshire artist Jane Gales. It's a fantastic way to showcase local talent and add a unique touch to the space.

The catering manager for Otley Garden Centre, Marina Jannetta, shared her excitement about the project.

“We’re proud of the results of our significant investment in Blooms at Otley Garden Centre and were delighted to host Cllr Carter and his wife Denise as he is a long-standing customer and has been very supportive of us since we acquired the garden centre.”

Getting the mayoral seal of approval

When you've put so much work into something, it's great to get a thumbs-up from someone important in the local community. That's exactly what happened when Otley Town Mayor, Cllr Paul Carter, and his wife Denise were invited for afternoon tea. A mayoral visit is a pretty big deal, and it sounds like they had a wonderful time. As a long-time customer, the Mayor has seen the garden centre evolve over the years, making his opinion especially meaningful. He was clearly impressed with the changes. Cllr Carter said:

“We were delighted to visit the new and improved Blooms for an excellent afternoon tea. The restaurant at Otley Garden Centre has long been a family favourite and a go-to destination for a hearty breakfast. The team has done a great job of retaining the family-run feel of the business while investing significantly to improve facilities throughout the centre. The afternoon tea was beautifully presented and delicious, and I know my mother would love to experience it next time she visits.”

High praise indeed, and it shows that while lots of things are new, that friendly, family-run atmosphere is still there.

More than just a lick of paint

This restaurant refurbishment is part of a much bigger story of improvements at the garden centre. Yorkshire Garden Centres took over in 2022, marking the first of their recent acquisitions. The original centre was established way back in 1966 by Stephen H. Smith, and the new owners are keen to build on his amazing legacy. Since 2022, they've poured a staggering £750,000 into the site. This huge investment has gone into all sorts of improvements, including making the site more environmentally friendly with renewable energy. Mark Farnsworth, the MD of Yorkshire Garden Centres, explained their approach:

“Otley Garden Centre was established by Stephen H. Smith in 1966. It was the first of the group’s acquisitions in 2022, and we hope that we have built on Stephen’s legacy with sympathetic improvements undertaken by local tradesmen, and with our support of community initiatives like Wildlife Friendly Otley and Otley Food Bank.”

This commitment to using local tradespeople and supporting important causes shows a real dedication to the local area. This group also includes the well-known Tong, Tingley, Bingley, and Pennine Garden Centres, so they have a lot of experience in creating great destinations.

Looking to the future

And the improvements don't stop with the restaurant. There's more exciting news on the horizon, especially for families. Planners have given the green light for a Grass Hoppers indoor and outdoor play area to be built at the Otley site. This is fantastic news for anyone with little ones, providing a brilliant space for them to play and burn off some energy. Work on the new play area is set to begin in January 2026, making the Otley Garden Centre an even more essential day out for the whole family. It’s clear that this is a place with a rich past and a very bright future.