The Garden Table – From Coffee Nook to Full-Service Restaurant

A Fresh Culinary Chapter for a Well-Loved Independent Garden Centre

Project Overview

Located in the heart of the Kent countryside, our clients Sarah and John run a well-established independent garden centre that has long served the local community. Known for its excellent plants and garden products, the site included a small coffee shop—cosy and welcoming but with limited capacity and menu options.

As customer demand grew, so did Sarah and John’s ambition to provide a full dining experience that matched the high standards already set by the rest of their business. The solution? A completely new restaurant built from the ground up.

We were delighted to be chosen to bring their vision to life—designing and installing a commercial kitchen and front-of-house servery area that would underpin a high-quality, locally focused dining offer.

Why Kent Commercial Kitchens?

While up against several nationally recognised competitors from outside the region, Sarah and John opted to go local. With our offices and engineering team based just 10 miles from the garden centre, we could offer not only competitive pricing and custom design but also ongoing support and maintenance—essential for any hospitality business planning for long-term success.

Scope of Works

Kitchen & Back-of-House Installation:

• Bioclad hygienic wall cladding

• Altro Stronghold 30 slip-resistant flooring

• Suspended wipe-clean ceiling system

• Full ventilation and extraction system, including noise and odour reduction technologies—essential due to the proximity of the kitchen to a walled garden seating area

Front-of-House Servery & Bar Area:

• Installation of refrigerated display units and carcasses

• Slip-resistant flooring throughout

• Bespoke granite countertop installation

Catering Equipment Supplied:

• Rational combi oven

• Precision refrigerated prep counters

• Hoshizaki ice machine

• Additional prep and cooking equipment tailored to the client’s specific menu and service model

Design Excellence Meets Client Vision

Sarah and John had a strong aesthetic vision from the beginning—combining practical layout needs with personal, stylish touches. Some of their standout additions include:

• Elegant copper hand wash basins behind the counter

• A central wood-burning fireplace that serves as a focal point in the dining area

• A beautifully landscaped outdoor seating area complete with a tranquil ornamental water feature

We collaborated closely with them throughout the design and build stages to ensure their style, service flow, and technical requirements were aligned at every step.

Challenges & Solutions

Odour and noise control were critical due to the kitchen’s location near a tranquil garden seating area. Our custom-designed extraction and filtration system successfully manages this while maintaining peak kitchen performance.
Programme coordination was also key. With a clear project timeline, we worked efficiently and proactively to ensure each phase was completed on schedule—despite a tight winter start date in late November.

Outcome: A Stunning New Restaurant Offering

The final result is a warm, welcoming, and high-functioning restaurant that has been incredibly well received by customers. The attention to detail, both behind the scenes and in the dining space, sets this project apart.

From the kitchen’s hygienic finish and high-spec appliances to the aesthetic centrepieces and seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces, the new restaurant is an impressive addition to the garden centre—and a true reflection of the owners’ vision.

Client Feedback & Community Response

The restaurant has quickly become a local favourite, earning excellent reviews and praise for both the food and the setting. A glance at TripAdvisor reveals glowing feedback from visitors who appreciate the quality, service, and ambiance.

We’re proud to have played a part in this transformation and look forward to continuing to support Sarah and John as their venture grows.

Key Project Features

✅ Full kitchen design and installation
✅ Odour and noise-controlled extraction system
✅ Hygienic wall cladding and safety flooring
✅ Custom servery with granite counters
✅ High-end appliance supply and installation
✅ Collaborative design approach with client input