JUST under 100 jobs have been created in the Glazebury area as part of a £10million expansion project at Bents.

The new look Warrington Road garden centre launches today, Thursday, with a 30sq ft food hall, children's boutique, kitchen department, outdoor clothing retailer, specialist pet department and flagship shop for arts and crafts retailer C-Craft.

Bents now employs 403 people with 99 jobs created by the new development which started in 2012. Out of those, 59 were employed locally in Warrington and Leigh.

The business was established when Alfred and Margaret Bent started growing and selling roses from their front garden just steps away from the current location.

Matthew Bent, managing director at Bents, said: “ We’ve come a long way since the Bents’ business was established by my grandparents nearly 75 years ago and the journey so far has been hugely enjoyable.

"Despite growing in size we want to retain all the great things we already do, keeping the feeling and ambiance we have worked hard to create, but in a bigger store.

"While never forgetting our gardening heritage we’ve worked hard to create a destination that is no longer just focussed on the garden but also encompasses home, lifestyle, leisure and a day out."

The expanded garden centre opened today, Thursday, but there is set to be a second launch in the new year once the food hall is fully up-and-running.

It will feature deli counters, a bakery, a wine and tapas bar and a demonstration area for cooking workshops.

But over Christmas, Bents will operate a ‘pop up’ style food venue which will feature some of the new additions.

The £10million scheme also included a new roundabout on Warrington Road to help cope with the extra traffic generated.