A garden centre which controversially chose not to renew the operating licence of its former cafe has opened a new one following a £100,000 investment.

The New Leaf Café opened at Trowbridge Garden Centre on October 18 after a complete refurbishment by the management that has cost more than £100,000.

It follows the decision to close the former Bay Tree Café, which was received badly by some customers.

Wiltshire Times: Head Chef James Hooper at the New Leaf Café inside Trowbridge Garden Centre. Photo: Trevor Porter 70296-3Head Chef James Hooper at the New Leaf Café inside Trowbridge Garden Centre. Photo: Trevor Porter 70296-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Centre manager Chris Wilde says it has given the café a fresh new look, an exciting new menu and is offering great value for money.

He said: “The New Leaf Café is now at the heart of the garden centre and is an increasingly important part of our customer experience.

“We have been overwhelmed with the positive responses and we thank our customers for all the support they have given us.”

Wiltshire Times: Customers queue for a traditional breakfast at the New Leaf Café at Trowbridge Garden Centre. Photo: Trevor Porter 70296-2Customers queue for a traditional breakfast at the New Leaf Café at Trowbridge Garden Centre. Photo: Trevor Porter 70296-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Dozens of angry customers threatened to boycott the garden centre when they heard the Bay Tree Café was to close on July 29 with the loss of nine jobs.

But now the centre is urging them to come back and try their hearty traditional breakfasts or something a little lighter.

It says on its website: “There is plenty to choose from our lunch menu, all cooked in our own kitchen, and naturally there is tea and cakes for the afternoon.”

The opening of the New Leaf Café is part of an ongoing investment to improve the Frome Road garden centre.