Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) in the North East and North West are celebrating after picking up awards during a presentation last week (Thursday, September 2, 2021).
The North East’s Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was Tong Garden Centre and Cowell’s Garden Centre in the Garden Centre (GC) category. In the North West, Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Group – High Legh Garden Centre (GC) received the accolade.
Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “It was great to see everyone in attendance at our final regional awards meeting of 2021 and paying close attention to our inspector, Alyson Haywood’s feedback. Now is the optimum time for our members to take this feedback on board, taking inspiration from the best practice and innovation they have seen and share it with their teams to develop new ideas for their centres.
“We’d also like to extend our thanks to Tong Garden Centre for hosting us and providing such a warm welcome to everyone. Members had a great evening sharing ideas and celebrating their successes.”
GCA inspector Alyson Haywood with staff from Barton Grange Garden Centre & their awards.
Tong Garden Centre were also winners of the GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer (DGC), Best Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer (DGC) and Best Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer (DGC) in the North East.
GCA Inspector Alyson Haywood was responsible for inspecting member garden centres in the North East and North West areas.
She said: “Tong Garden Centre had very creative and inspirational displays and excellent product ranges in outdoor and indoor categories with great customer service and engagement.
“Cowell’s had very high standards of retailing and showed creativity and inspiration, all combined with its fantastic customer service and superb plant ranges and quality.”
Cowell’s Garden Centre also received the Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity.
For the North West area, Barton Grange Garden Centre scooped further prizes including the Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity, the Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service, the GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer (DGC) and Best Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer (DGC).
Alyson added: “Barton’s meticulous attention to detail and truly impressive displays, and excellent product range, across all departments, has made it stand out once again. Customer service and environmental consciousness was clearly demonstrated throughout the centre.
“For the Garden Centre category, Klondyke High Legh had very high standards of retailing, which were presented throughout the centre. They utilised their spaces well, with great product ranges for customers.”
Klondyke High Legh also achieved the Best Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer (GC) and Best Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer (GC).
Justin Williams, Managing Director of Fron Goch Garden Centre and Area Chairman organised the event.
He said: “We had an inspiring awards evening presented by Alyson, plus a great tour by Tong of their recent developments. Over 60 people attended, which was great to see, especially after such a strange Covid year and a half.
“We thoroughly enjoyed seeing old and new members, and as usual, the meeting gave us the opportunity to feed off each other’s energy, enthusiasm and efforts.”
The national winners of the Garden Centre of the Year and Destination Garden Centre of the Year are announced at the GCA annual conference taking place next year (2022) from Sunday, January 23 until Wednesday, January 26. Members will be able to book their places soon and the GCA will be announcing speakers in the near future.
The full results for the North East and North West regions GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:
North East
Garden Centre of the Year: Tong Garden Centre (DGC) and Cowell’s Garden Centre (GC)
The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity: Cowell’s Garden Centre
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: RHS Harlow Carr Plant Centre & Gift Shop
Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: Klondyke Group – Garforth Garden Centre
Environment and Sustainability Award Sponsored by Savills: Klondyke – Garforth Garden Centre
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Tong Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Group – Garforth Garden Centre (GC)
Best Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Tong Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Group – Stokesley Garden Centre (GC)
Best Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Tong Garden Centre (DGC) and RHS Harlow Carr Plant Centre & Gift Shop (GC)
North West
Garden Centre of the Year: Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Group – High Legh Garden Centre (GC)
The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity: Barton Grange Garden Centre
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre
Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: Barton Grange Garden Centre
Environment and Sustainability Award Sponsored by Savills: Bents Garden and Home
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Group – Burnside Garden Centre (GC)
Best Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Fron Goch Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Group – High Legh Garden Centre (GC)
Best Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Group – High Legh Garden Centre (GC).
Garden Centre Association