The Range in Watford plans expansion with outdoor garden centre

The store, that can be found at Watford Arches Retail Park, inside the former Mothercare unit, is pushing forward with its expansion plans that were previously announced before it opened in June this year.

A sign announcing the expansion was in place as the store opened

With the proposed expansion, CDS – which trades as The Range – is seeking permission to extend into the former B&Q Trade Unit to sell even more products.

The expansion includes changing the use of up to 240 squared metres to sell and Iceland section of food and drink goods – mainly frozen and non-perishable items - that can be consumed off the premises.

There could also be a three-metre-high palisade fence to provide space for an external garden centre, and two chiller or cold storage units within the rear yard.

The garden is said to sell items ranging from garden tools, outdoor plants, garden furniture, pots, compost and similar items suited to a garden.

The Range store opened up earlier this year

Of the 160 Range stores nationwide, 77 per cent of them have a garden centre.

The Range has agreed to occupy the unit and has secured a lease until January 2027 following the closure of B&Q, and it is said that the garden centre would make a “modest but important” contribution to the store’s overall offer.