The Garden Centre Association’s North region members met on Tuesday at Strikes Stokesley Garden Centre for their Area Award presentations.

The Garden Centre (GC) award went to Fron Goch Garden Centre. As proud partners of Fron Goch, Stax would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations on their well-deserved achievements. Their dedication to excellence is truly inspiring and we are honoured to support them.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO said: “Our North area awards meeting was a triumph! Thank you to all our members who joined us for the event and who brought along their teams too. It was wonderful to see everyone. More than 50 people came along to hear what our Inspector Gordon Emslie had to say and to take on board all his feedback, as well as to celebrate the area’s award wins.

“Well done to all those centres who scooped awards this year. We’re indebted to the team at Strikes Stokesley Garden Centre for hosting us and to Gordon for visiting the centres and presenting his findings in such a great way. It was great to see so many people taking notes to report back to their centres too.”

Gordon made unannounced visits to member garden centres in the North area across a 12-week period.

He said: “Yet another season where GCA member garden centres have excelled in their delivery of operational standards and customer service. I have again witnessed some outstanding levels of merchandising consistency, which in my view is not seen in other areas of retailing at present.

“This was demonstrated with 50% of centres visited this year achieving the ‘highly commended’ award for scoring 75% or more. Despite all the economic challenges and inconsistency with the weather, the industry yet again showcases what it does best by setting outstanding standards for customers.

“Every centre should be very proud of what it has achieved. I’d encourage members to embrace the inspection process fully moving forward, then they can look ahead and drive their businesses on in a positive manner.”

The full results, including runners up, where relevant, for the North region GCA area awards are as follows for the Garden Centre categories:

 

Garden Centre of the Year:

GC

1.     Fron Goch Garden Centre

2.     Klondyke Garden Centre, Mortonhall

3.     Cowell’s Garden Centre

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service:

1.     Barton Grange Garden Centre

2.     Fron Goch Garden Centre

3.     Gordale Garden Centre

The Paul Cooling Award for Environment and Sustainability:

1.     Fron Goch Garden Centre

2.     Bents Garden and Home

3.     Barton Grange Garden Centre

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant:

GC

1.     Fron Goch Garden Centre

2.     Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre

3.     Notcutts Woodford Park Garden Centre 

Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer:

GC

1.     Fron Goch Garden Centre

2.     Klondyke Garden Centre, Stokesley

3.     Notcutts Woodford Park Garden Centre

Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer:

GC

1.     Fron Goch Garden Centre

2.     Simpsons Garden Centre

3.     Klondyke Garden Centre, Mortonhall

 

Extract of article by GCN Xtra 15th July 2024 - see link for full article
https://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gtnxtra/1n6ad5pim55dy4wjsg68ak?email=true&lang=en&a=11&p=64549086