FRIENDS have taken over a garden centre in Bicknacre and given it a fresh look.

Stacy Peterson, 53, and Rob Smith, 29, are running the old Horseshoe Nursery on White Elm Road.

Under the store’s new name, White Elm Garden Centre, the duo have said they are mainly focused on selling plants and gifts along with having a farm shop on site.

A coffee shop is also part of the centre with an in-store baker preparing food for customers.

Mr Peterson, originally from California, said: “We wanted to make something a little bit different and not just be like the B&Qs and other garden centres which sell everything.

“The place had fallen into a bit of disrepair so we have given it a bit of a freshening up.

“It has been great so far and we have had people coming in saying how it used to be and how nice it is to see it looking good again.”