The Garden Centre Association unveiled its winners for the North Thames region during a presentation at Perrywood Garden Centre in Sudbury.
Perrywood Garden Centre – Tiptree won Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category while Thurrock Garden Centre picked up the accolade in the Garden Centre (GC) category. Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “The penultimate of our regional awards was just as busy as all our other evenings and we were delighted so many members managed to join us. We’d like to thank the team at Perrywood for hosting such a fantastic event that made everyone feel very welcome.
Staff from Thurrock Garden Centre with their awards and (right) GCA Inspector, Andy Campbell.
“It was wonderful to see so many members come together to hear our inspector, Andy Campbell, provide crucial feedback from his inspections, which we know our members will be able to implement for the future.”
Perrywood Garden Centre – Tiptree also received the Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity, the Environment and Sustainability Award sponsored by Savills, the GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer and Best Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer in the DGC category.
GCA Inspector, Andy Campbell, was responsible for inspecting member garden centres in the North Thames areas. He said: “Perrywood Garden Centre – Tiptree was incredibly strong across all the product categories and customer service criteria, with plants being central to the business. They exhibited close attention to detail, combined with excellent retailing standards.”
Thurrock Garden Centre also received the GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer in the GC category. Andy added: “The team at Thurrock are constantly striving to improve what they do and develop the business, whilst being committed to delivering a high level of customer service throughout.”
Staff form Perrywood Garden Centre - Tiptree with their awards and (right) GCA INspector, Andy Campbell.
The final award meeting takes place today (Thursday, September 2) at Tong Garden Centre where inspector Alyson Haywood will be presenting her findings.
The full results for the North Thames region GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:
Garden Centre of the Year: Perrywood, Tiptree (DGC) and Thurrock Garden Centre (GC)
The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity: Perrywood, Tiptree
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Haddenham Garden Centre
Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: Poplars Garden Centre
Environment and Sustainability Award Sponsored by Savills: Perrywood, Tiptree
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Perrywood, Tiptree (DGC) and Thurrock Garden Centre (GC)
Best Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Perrywood, Tiptree (DGC) and Coton Orchard Garden Centre (GC)
Best Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Squire’s Garden Centre – Shepperton (DGC) and Coton Orchard Garden Centre (GC).
Garden Centre Association