Garden Centre Association (GCA) members across the North East and North West were celebrating last week (Thursday, July 14) after picking up awards during a presentation at RHS Bridgewater. The North East’s Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was Cowell’s Garden Centre (pictured top) and Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre in the Garden Centre (GC) category. In the North West, Bents Garden and Home (DGC, pictured below) and Klondyke 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 regional awards meeting and paying close attention to our inspector, Phil McCann’s feedback. Now is the optimum time for our members to take this feedback on board, relay it to the rest of their team and start making any changes needed.”
GCA Inspector Phil McCann was responsible for inspecting member garden centres in the North East and North West areas. Cowell’s Garden Centre also picked up the Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity, the Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service, the Environment and Sustainability Award and the GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer in the North East region.
Martin Cowell, Director at Cowell’s Garden Centre, said: “We are delighted to have received several awards at the GCA regional awards presentation. To be awarded Best Destination Garden Centre and shortlisted for the national Ruxley Rose competition for best plant area is wonderful and testament to the hard work and creativity of our fantastic team.”
In the North West, Bent’s Garden and Home also took home the Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant and The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity. Matthew Bent, Managing Director at Bent’s Garden and Home, said: “There are many awards available within our industry, but to be acknowledged as the Best Destination Garden Centre in the North West by the GCA really is a great honour”.
The GCA awards aren’t based on any kind of written submission, they follow the annual audits, which are a requirement of our membership of the GCA.
“These audits are hugely beneficial as they monitor quality standards throughout the centre, not only of products and departments, but also people and service, which makes it all the more special to receive this recognition. It takes a massive team effort to achieve the high standards required to achieve this award and it’s a fantastic way to thank each and every one of them for everything they do for our family business.”
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: Cowell’s Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (GC)
Best Customer Service: Cowell’s Garden Centre
Environment and Sustainability Award: Cowell’s Garden Centre
The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity: Cowell’s Garden Centre
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Coletta and Tyson
The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Tong Garden Centre (DGC) and Moss and Moor (GC)
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Cowell’s Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (GC)
The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Langlands Garden Centre, Shiptonthorpe (DGC) and Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (GC)
The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Langlands Garden Centre, Shiptonthorpe (DGC) and Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (GC)
North West
Garden Centre of the Year: Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and Klondyke High Legh Garden Centre (GC)
Best Customer Service: Fron Goch Garden Centre
Environment and Sustainability Award: Fron Goch Garden Centre
The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity: Bents Garden and Home
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Bolton Garden Centre
The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and Klondyke High Legh Garden Centre (GC)
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and RHS Bridgewater Plant Centre and Shop (GC)
The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and RHS Bridgewater Plant Centre and Shop (GC)
The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Astbury Meadow Garden Centre (GC)
The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.
Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability
