We’re thrilled to finally share the completion of our new glasshouse development at one of our key growing sites.
This development has been over a year in the making and seeing it come to life is a proud moment for the Blackdown Growers team. A result of extensive planning and dedication, this expansion marks our commitment to advancing our indoor glasshouse production and increasing our capacity to grow the finest baby leaves and aromatic herbs right here in the UK, all year round.
Building a Glasshouse for Year-Round UK Production
Building a glasshouse from the ground up is no small task, but in just four months – from November to March 2025 – we transformed empty land into a fully operational growing space. The project unfolded in key stages, starting with the laying of solid foundations, followed by the construction of the structural framework and finally finishing with the precise installation of the glass panels. Trust us when we say, installing those glass panels was like putting together a giant, very delicate puzzle!
Throughout each stage of the build, we partnered up with experts who specialise in state-of-the-art UK indoor glasshouse building to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety regulations were met. Every step was meticulously planned to create a structure that is not only durable but also optimised for growing the best possible crops.
Six New Acres of Production
This glasshouse expansion will add 6 additional acres of production space next to an already existing glasshouse area. We decided to split the build into two phases. Phase 1, which is now complete, covers 3 acres, while Phase 2 will add another 3 acres by 2026. This expansion aligns with our production strategy to continually expand our UK indoor growing to help meet the rising demand for fresh, high-quality British-grown baby leaves and herbs.
Why Are We Expanding Our Glasshouses?
Expanding our glasshouses has always been a key part of our mission. However, there have been several internal and external factors that have driven this decision, see below:
- Boosting year-round production – Expanding our indoor growing space allows us to consistently deliver fresh, British-grown crops all year, no matter the season.
- Reducing reliance on imports – With rising import costs, including increased taxes and phytosanitary certification fees, producing more produce on our own site makes financial and logistical sense.
- Unpredictable weather – Data shows that extreme weather events, like heavy rainfall and flooding, are shortening the outdoor growing season across the whole of the agricultural industry. Glasshouses provide a controlled environment, ensuring our crops thrive regardless of the weather elements.
- Becoming the UK’s No.1 glasshouse grower of baby leave and herbs – This is our ultimate goal. Through continued expansion and innovation, we’re constantly improving our processes to grow the best produce under glasshouses.
Main Challenges of the Glasshouse Construction
One of the biggest challenges during the construction of the new glasshouse was, of course, the weather, especially since the build took place during the colder months. Despite the conditions, the team pulled together and successfully completed the project on time.
Darren Cox, CEO at Blackdown Growers, shared his thoughts on the new development:
“Another completion of a new glasshouse is a huge milestone for us. It’s a testament to our team’s hard work and the businesses commitment to growing the best possible baby leaves and herbs. Not only this, with the new expansion, we’re making sure we are growing our efforts to being able to provide more British grown crops 12 months of the year.”
What’s Next?
This expansion is more than just adding space – it’s about future-proofing our business, staying ahead of industry challenges and continuing to deliver British-grown produce all year round.
With Phase 1 of the glasshouse production complete and the first indoor harvest underway, we are now excited to begin Phase 2 towards the end of 2026.
Learn more about Blackdown Growers and our UK glasshouse production here!
If you are looking to know more about our baby leaf and salad product offerings please contact on 01926 614 244 or [email protected]
