The company responsible for bringing Dobbies garden centre to Tewkesbury says it will be good for the area.

Dobbies is the first phase of the Cotswolds Designer Outlet and part of a large mixed-used development, which will include 1,300 new homes. Gloucestershire-based property developer, Robert Hitchins, is behind the development.

In an exclusive chat with Punchline-Gloucester.com editor, Mark Owen, Simon Tothill, property development director at Robert Hitchins, said: "We are bringing a lot of investment to the area and creating jobs. We've got 100 jobs being created at Dobbies."

The Cotswolds Designer Outlet is due to open in summer 2024 at Junction 9 of the M5. A number of brands are already coming on board. It's hoped the first names will be announced in the 'not too distant future'.

Mr Tothill continued: "It will be a great addition and drive a lot more custom into the area. I think the challenge is to make sure visitors to the new attraction actually visit and go and see the other towns around the area, especially Tewkesbury."

Although the cost-of-living crisis is currently hitting consumers and retailers alike, Mr Tothill believes Dobbies and the Cotswolds Designer Outlet will be able to weather the storm.

"As far as a garden centre is concerned, it's a leisure trip as well. I think people do save a little bit of money, if they can, to make leisure trips.

"The figures won't necessarily be as strong as they were in good times, but the actual concept of an outlet is all about discounted brands and leisure.

"People in this country generally visit an outlet six or seven times a year. They go to try and find a discounted bargain on some very attractive brands."

Cotswolds Designer Outlet isn't far from Gloucester Quays, but Mr Tothill believes there is room for two outlet centres in the county.

There are 35 million vehicles passing through Junction 9 every year and a further 9.1 million passing the site on the A46, making it easy to access from further afield, as well as for local people.

Mr Tothill said: "Gloucester Quays is a different catchment. We wish them well. We want to see them succeed as much as we want to see ourselves succeed."