Client
RHS Garden Wisley, one of the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship destinations and a major retail and visitor attraction, welcoming over a million guests each year.
Requirement
RHS Garden Wisley needed a temporary retail extension to expand its gift shop in the run-up to the busy Christmas season. The aim was to create additional retail capacity for its festive range while managing increased visitor numbers during peak trading.
The solution had to function as a temporary shop extension directly connected to the existing retail space, without disrupting current displays or the adjoining coffee shop. Full accessibility was essential, alongside a comfortable, high-quality shopping environment that aligned with Wisley’s brand and overall visitor experience.
As a leading garden centre and visitor attraction, Wisley required a garden centre retail extension that could be installed quickly, look professional and operate seamlessly throughout the busiest period of the year.
Our Solution
LM Structures designed and installed a temporary retail extension in the form of a retail marquee extension, linked directly to the front of the existing shop. This approach created an attractive, fully functional trading area that operated as a natural continuation of the permanent building.
Linked clearspan retail marquees
Two 12 m × 5 m clearspan structures were combined to form a seasonal retail extension, delivering approximately 1,300 sq ft of additional retail floor space. The flexible configuration allowed the temporary retail space to accommodate increased product displays while maintaining clear sightlines and intuitive navigation.
Integrated layout and customer flow
The retail marquee extension was carefully designed to incorporate the coffee shop entrance, preserving established customer movement between spaces. This ensured the temporary retail extension enhanced, rather than interrupted, the existing visitor journey.
Visitor experience and wayfinding
Three sets of glass double doors improved access and circulation throughout the temporary retail space for peak trading, supported by branded signage to guide visitors smoothly between the permanent shop and the extension.
Light, ambience and presentation
Clear PVC window walls and gable ends maximised natural daylight, creating a bright and inviting shopping environment. Internally, the temporary retail extension was finished to a high standard, ensuring it felt retail-ready rather than temporary.
Comfort and environmental control
A solid boarded floor with carpet finish provided a level, polished surface suitable for high footfall. Ducted heating maintained consistent internal temperatures, while a bespoke anti-condensation roof system protected both stock and visitors. The ceiling was fully lined and structural elements neatly dressed to deliver a professional retail finish throughout the temporary shop extension.
Accessibility and compliance
Step-free ramps at all entrances ensured the temporary retail extension was fully accessible and easy to navigate for all visitors, meeting both practical and compliance requirements.
Results
The seasonal retail extension allowed RHS Wisley to showcase a significantly wider range of festive products while keeping the space open, bright and welcoming. The additional capacity improved customer flow through the shop, encouraged longer dwell times and supported higher sales during the busiest trading period.
Staff reported smoother day-to-day operations, while visitors responded positively to the layout, comfort and ease of movement between the permanent shop and the temporary retail extension. The solution successfully delivered high-quality temporary retail space without compromising the overall visitor experience.
At a Glance
- 1,300 sq ft additional retail floor space
- 2 × 12 m × 5 m clearspan retail marquees
- Fully linked temporary retail extension connected to existing shop
- 3 glass double-door access points
- Ducted heating, anti-condensation roof and fully lined interior
- Step-free access for all visitors
Why LM Structures
Purpose-built for retail
Every temporary retail extension is designed to support product presentation, customer flow and sales performance.
Flexible, fast installation
Retail marquee extensions delivered quickly with minimal disruption to day-to-day trading.
Comfort and compliance
Heated, accessible and weather-resistant solutions that provide a professional retail experience throughout peak trading periods.
Trusted by leading venues
Specialists in long-term marquee hire for retail and garden centres, delivering temporary retail extensions that look and feel permanent, yet remain flexible, reconfigurable or removable as requirements change.
For garden centres, farm shops and visitor attractions needing additional capacity, LM Structures provides tailored temporary retail extensions and temporary retail space for peak trading, combining speed, quality and flexibility in a modular solution.
