The adventure mini golf at Hawley Garden Centre in Sutton at Hone. Picture: Hawley Garden Centre<\/p>\n
It had previously hoped to get the attraction ready to open in the first week of December<\/a>, however this was pushed back due to several changes.<\/p>\n Manager Mike Oliver said: \u201cIt’s been delayed and delayed, so we’re having a bit of a soft opening this weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’ve got eight families booked to come in tomorrow, and there’ll be a few others that turn up to the centre, see that we’re open and come along for the ride.<\/p>\n \u201cWorks started on it in May and the golf has actually been ready to open since around November.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a lot of groundwork to do, and there were other projects going on in the garden centre at the same time as well.\u201d<\/p>\n The centre decided to launch a mini golf in a bid to attract new customers.<\/p>\n Mike explained: \u201cPeople can come in and play golf and then have a wander around the garden centre.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got a lovely garden centre full of nice stock and a great range of plants, so we want to show that to more people and make the garden centre more profitable.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Mark previously told KentOnline he wanted to make Hawley a destination<\/a>, adding that he is diversifying to step up and fill the void left on the high street.<\/p>\n He previously said: \u201cWith the decline of the high street, garden centres have become more of a go-to place meaning we need to have a more versatile offering which is not just plants and nice furniture.<\/p>\n \u201cThere has got to be more to garden centres than that, especially now with the high streets on their last legs.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the industry has known that for a while and our aim is to continue utilising the space to diversify the centre.\u201d<\/p>\n The 12-hole mini golf will open for bookings seven days a week during garden centre opening hours.<\/p>\n New photos shared by the garden centre this week show the finished attraction, Aztec Adventure Golf, with artificial grass pathways and stone-like borders.<\/p>\n Decorative palm trees are scattered across the course, as well as a large totem pole statue and a forest mural across the wall.<\/p>\n The formerly family-run garden centre was put on the market for \u00a35 million in 2023<\/a>, and was acquired by Kent-based paving and walling manufacturer Castacrete the following year.<\/p>\nManager of Hawley Garden Centre, in Hawley Road, Hawley, Mike Oliver<\/p>\n
Aztec Adventure Golf at Hawley Garden Centre near Dartford. Picture: Hawley Garden Centre<\/p>\n
The adventure mini golf will be opening at the weekend. Picture: Hawley Garden Centre<\/p>\n
The adventure mini golf at Hawley Garden Centre in Sutton at Hone. Picture: Hawley Garden Centre<\/p>\n