NEW MARKSHALL ESTATE SHOP AND PLANT CENTRE OPENS FOLLOWING SIX-MONTH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
An exciting new retail space and plant centre in Coggeshall, Essex will stock a range of eco-friendly products from local suppliers, craftspeople, and artists, with plants and trees supplied by A&J Plants.
The brand-new 90sq/m retail space, four times bigger than the previous shop, will open to the public from today, Thursday 19th August, and will put the work of local craftspeople, artists, and suppliers in the spotlight. The shop will stock more than 50 suppliers, locally sourced and with a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly items.
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 started back in February 2021 with works taking place in the Orchard Kitchen café at Markshall Estate Visitor Centre. Underfloor heating was installed, powered by a brand-new carbon neutral 106kw biomass boiler. The new system will provide all of the hot water for the Visitor Centre, café, and Shop, and reduces the Estate’s carbon dioxide output by at least 9.5 tons each year.
Additional space was created in the café meaning the team can now welcome more visitors for homemade cakes, main meals, and afternoon teas.
Markshall Estate worked with architects Laurie Wood Associates, Smith Construction, CB Biomass, and electrician Adam Robey to deliver the six-month project.
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.”
The first local artist exhibiting in the Shop and café is photographer Bryan Shaw, who has been a frequent visitor to Markshall Estate for over 20 years. During this time, he has become intimately familiar with the landscape and the importance of arboriculture. Visitors can view a selection of his photographs in the Orchard Kitchen café which capture trees throughout the seasons. The limited-edition prints will be available to order, along with matching greetings cards, in the new shop.
For those who aren’t able to visit the new shop, all products will be available soon at the recently revamped online shop – www.shop.markshall.org.uk
Markshall Estate is also running a busy summer programme of events, including live outdoor theatre, family yoga, hands-on nature inspired activities for all ages, plus much more.
Later in the year, the charity will be celebrating its 50th birthday with a series of special events and programming starting in November.