A POPULAR garden centre will be operating slightly differently for the next couple of weeks due to a refurbishment.

The Barn Garden Centre and Café in Turkey Cock Lane, in Eight Ash Green, will be closing its kitchen and main café area.

Until Friday, January 26, visitors will be unable to eat from the café whilst works are carried out in the kitchen.

An alternative has been offered by the garden centre as hot and cold drinks and snacks will be available from My Little Drinks Van.

Gazette: Service: My Little Drinks Van at the garden centreService: My Little Drinks Van at the garden centre (Image: The Barn Garden Centre)

Gazette: Inviting: inside the garden centre cafeInviting: inside the garden centre cafe (Image: The Barn Garden Centre)

They also serve home-baked cakes and offer vegan and gluten-free options.

The van is popular for events and occasions and has a five-star hygiene rating from Chelmsford City Council.

The van will be based in the indoor terrace area of the garden centre.

Gazette: Service: My Little Drinks Van is now at the garden centreService: My Little Drinks Van is now at the garden centre (Image: The Barn Garden Centre)

The essential kitchen works will bring the site up to date allowing the business to continue to operate its café services by the end of the month.

The Barn opened in 1986 and expanded to offer a café in 2002. The café was then refurbished in 2017 and is well known for its home-cooked breakfasts and lunches, as well as its fresh cakes.

A spokesman for The Barn Garden Centre and Lifestyle Store said: "At the heart of The Barn Garden Centre and Lifestyle Store can be found the locally renowned Barn Café, which offers breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea using locally and seasonally sourced ingredients.

Gazette: Welcome: outside The Barn Garden CentreWelcome: outside The Barn Garden Centre (Image: The Barn Garden Centre)

“During this period, although their kitchen and main café seating area will be closed, they are thrilled to announce that we will be joined by mylittledrinksvan.com who will be providing hot and cold drinks, delicious cakes and a selection of light bites for you to enjoy in their indoor terrace area.

“The opening hours remain unchanged and the Garden Centre and Store will be open as usual throughout the period.

“The Barn Cafe will reopen at 9am on Saturday, January 27 and in the meantime the team look forward to welcoming customers to sample some delicious goodies and drinks from My Little Drinks Van.”