AN EXCITING shop has finally opened after six-months of development.

The Markshall Estate Shop and Plant Centre opened today.

The store will stock a range of eco-friendly products from local suppliers, craftspeople and artists, with plants and trees supplied by A&J Plants.

Staff welcomed guests to the space, which is four times bigger than the previous shop, stocking more than 50 suppliers.

Gazette:

A new Plant Centre, two and half times the size of the original one, is also now open, bursting with locally grown plants and trees supplied by A&J Plants, and inspired by Markshall Estate Arboretum.

The project began in February with works taking place in the Orchard Kitchen café at Markshall Estate Visitor Centre.

Gazette: Outside of Markshall Estate's new shop - Photographer Bryan ShawOutside of Markshall Estate's new shop - Photographer Bryan Shaw

Markshall Estate Executive Director, Kath Cockshaw, said: "Our new shop has enabled us to showcase more local suppliers and artists who have a connection with nature and the environment.

"As a conservation-led charity caring for Markshall Estate over the previous 50 years, we want to lead by example in everything we do.

"The installation of the new biomass boiler means we can do just that, saving tons of carbon each year.

"With COP26 and climate change at the forefront of everyone's minds, we want to help our visitors take climate action through making some simple lifestyle changes and inspire generations to become ambassadors for the environment."