Stubbings Nursery, a family-run business that has been part of the local community since 1976, offers a combination of a traditional plant nursery, garden centre and a well-known conservatory café serving home-baked food overlooking its historic walled garden. Over the years, it has evolved from a wholesale horticultural site into a thriving destination for both shopping and socialising.
Now, the business is investing in a significant redevelopment of its café, kitchen and customer facilities, marking the first phase of a wider growth plan.
Supported by funding from Allica Bank, which was recently named the UK’s most recommended business bank, the initial works will increase indoor seating by 26 covers, expand the outdoor seating area to accommodate up to 100 guests, and upgrade kitchen and toilet facilities to support more visitors. A second phase is already being considered, which would further extend the building and take total indoor capacity to around 150 covers.
The investment comes as the business looks to address growing demand, with visitors regularly turned away during busy periods.
“We were finding that people were coming to visit and simply couldn’t get a table,” said Oliver Good, Managing Director at Stubbings Nursery. “That’s always frustrating, because once someone has made the effort to come out to us, there aren’t really alternative options nearby. We want to be able to welcome everyone comfortably.”
The expanded kitchen will also allow the team to increase its fresh, on-site food offering, which has become a major draw for visitors. The café is particularly well known for its daily selection of freshly baked scones, which often sell out.
“We’re known for our scones – we do a different flavour every day and bake them fresh on-site,” Oliver added. “At the moment, we’re limited by space, but this will allow us to do more of what people love, and do it even better. I’m a big fan of our cheese scones, especially on a cold day with a bit of chutney - total perfection!”
Stubbings currently employs around 45 full and part-time staff, and the expansion is expected to create around 4 new roles, particularly for local people seeking part-time and seasonal work.
Located just outside Maidenhead, the site has become a key community hub, attracting a wide mix of visitors – from weekday regulars and young families to weekend groups and walkers exploring nearby National Trust land at Maidenhead Thicket.
With significant local development underway, including new housing and improved transport links via the Elizabeth Line, the business is confident about future growth.
“We’re very lucky with our location,” Oliver said. “We’re close to the town, but it still feels like a bit of an escape – a place where people can slow down, meet friends, and spend time together. That’s something you can’t replicate online.
“This investment is a big step for us, and we’re really grateful for Allica’s support in helping us make it happen. At the end of the day, we’re a family business and a local destination,” he added. “This is about building on what we already have, making it even better for our customers, and ensuring we’re here for the community for many years to come.”
Alongside the café expansion, Stubbings is also looking to grow its retail and events offering, with markets, workshops and community events already forming a key part of its appeal.
Taylor Hart, Relationship Manager at Allica Bank, said: “Businesses like Stubbings Nursery are at the heart of communities like ours. I’m only 15 minutes down the road from Stubbings, so I can really attest to the fact that it’s more than just a garden centre – it’s a place where people come together, whether that’s for a coffee, a walk or time with family. With Maidenhead seeing significant growth, it’s fantastic to support the team as they invest in their space, create jobs and continue building on what they’ve achieved.”
