WORK to refurbish a charity-run plant nursery in Poole and build a new shop has started.

The work carried out by Greendale Construction will see Chestnut Nursery’s dilapidated buildings demolished and replaced with a new single-storey shop.

It will sell a variety of gardening items as well as offer improved learning opportunities for the volunteers working there.

To help with green sustainability requirements an air source heat pump with electrical back-up will provide underfloor heating, keeping customers and volunteers warm during the colder months.

Behind the shop, there will be a further 743 square metres of retail hard-standing and growing areas.

The new nursery will provide a much-needed safe and comfortable environment for volunteers working with the registered charity SWOP (Sheltered Work Opportunities Project), Greendale says.

During the refurbishment, Chestnut Nursery will be operating a pop-up shop at 26 Kingland Crescent in Poole town centre, where it will be selling a variety of plants and accessories.

Angela Mansbridge, project manager at Chestnut Nursery, said:“It is such an exciting time at the nursery and everyone has worked so hard to get to this stage. The improvements will benefit our current and future volunteers for years to come.”

Martin Stewart, managing director at Stewarts Garden Centres, and chairman and trustee of SWOP, said: “We are thrilled to have finally got this project up and running and are delighted to be working with such a well-regarded company as Greendale Construction.

“This is going to be an iconic building within the conservation area of Poole Park, for a really valuable charity, which is going to benefit hundreds of the charity’s volunteers.”

Rob Hooker, director at Greendale Construction, added: “Greendale has been involved with helping Chestnut Nursery get this project up and running since 2015.

“It is great to now be starting the construction phase. We’re delighted to be working with the Chestnut team and Footprint Architects on this highly worthwhile project which will benefit and improve the Chestnut Nursery and SWOP community, providing a much better visitor experience for its loyal and new customers.”