In reaction to Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that Scottish garden centres can reopen from 5 April, James Barnes, Chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association, said:
“This is excellent news and we are delighted garden centres can finally reopen in time for some of the key Spring trading period. Everyone has been aware of the huge contribution to mental health and wellbeing that gardening provides in lockdown.
Our members have been standing ready to welcome customers back to the naturally light, airy and large retail spaces which, together with enhanced Safe Trading Protocols, make garden centres safe and comfortable environments in which to shop. They will be delighted to enable Scottish consumers to get back to gardening, making progress with projects large and small.
The ability to trade ahead of Easter will bring some certainty to the Scottish supply chain and a growth in confidence for an important sector of the Scottish economy, for the rest of the season.”
Horticultural Trades Association statement on NI Executive announce garden centres can operate click and collect
Reacting to the news that the Northern Ireland Executive has decided to allow garden centres to operate click and collect from 1 April, James Barnes, Chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association said:
“This offers some relief for Northern Ireland garden centres, allowing them some ability to trade in time for Easter, but is too little, too late. It doesn’t go far enough for many horticultural businesses who still have no clear idea have as to how much more of this key trading season will be curtailed by such severe restrictions.
“Click and collect and home deliveries make up only 15-20 per cent of usual sales due to the limitations of delivering live perishable plants of all shapes and sizes, and the IT and infrastructure needed to operate click and collect.
“Garden centres offer naturally airy and spacious environments which are enhanced by our Safe Trading Protocols and the evidence that plants, gardening and nature offer a wealth of health and wellbeing benefits is well documented. We call on Ministers to enable horticulture to play its part in supporting the nation as we approach the anniversary of a year in lockdown, providing a safe and healthy activity that keeps people at home.”
For more information:
Horticultural Trades Association
www.the-hta.org.uk