A LAVENDER business in Alresford will hire new staff and serve longer hours after an extension was granted by Winchester City Council.

Long Barn Growers & Distillers, in Bishop's Sutton Road, will hire full-and-part-time workers to staff a new plant nursery and cafe.

The existing shop, also known as Lavender Barn for its home-grown lavender products, can now open from 8am to 5.30pm and stock a wider range of gardening goods.

New Alresford Town Council supported the extension but said that longer opening hours would increase traffic and disturb neighbours.