THE Golden Acres Garden Centre and Nursery group has created the new position of group catering manager to oversee the restaurant and tearoom facilities at its centres in Cadnam and Landford in Hampshire and West Parley in Dorset.

Rita Lavery, who was catering manager at Haskins Garden Centre near Bournemouth for 14 years, is now responsible for the day-to-day operation of the catering facilities and the 25 full- and part-time staff.

This year the group celebrates its 25th anniversary. Catering currently makes up ten per cent of the £4.5m turnover.