Success drives expansion at major UK radish grower & Morrisons plant supplier based in Hesketh Bank
The farm has been in operation since 1950.
A Hesketh Bank radish and bedding plant specialist is preparing for expansion.
J&J Thompson in Moss Lane, was established by John and Jean Thompson in 1950, and is now one of only two growers in the United Kingdom who produce radish - sowing more than 400 acres annually.
The company supply the wholesale markets and supermarkets across the country and the farm also produces a large number of perennial plants which are sold by major retailers and supermarkets such as Morrisons, while also being sold at garden centres across the country.
The company’s agent said they have outgrown their current capacity at the site, with the existing glasshouse at the front of the site used for packing, planting, and storage of perennials, with machinery and staff also sharing the space.
In a statement to West Lancashire Borough Council supporting a planning permission to expand, they said: “The current glasshouse is too small, not up to modern standards and inefficient, which is exacerbated during periods of high demand for perennials, such as in the Spring/Summer months....Presently, storage pallets/trolleys occupy much needed floorspace while awaiting collection from delivery vehicles, with these often overspilling into other areas, including into the other glasshouses; thus, reducing available areas for growing."
This month they have successfully gained full planning application for the erection of a new glasshouse, replacement and extension of existing glasshouses, and associated operational improvements including enhancement of loading bays.
The new glasshouse will sit on the same concrete base but will be taller than the existing glasshouses, measuring 5m in height to match the neighbouring glasshouse to the west and the newly proposed glasshouses. The development will create four connected glasshouses which will all be of the same height and have a centralised walkway between them to allow for more convenient movements of people and goods.
The development is on Green Belt land, but West Lancashire Borough Council's planning boss has deemed the development suitable, stating: "I consider the proposed development would be reasonably necessary for the purposes of agriculture and therefore would not represent inappropriate development in this location."
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