Poundbury Gardens in Poundbury, Dorchester, has won Garden Centre of the Year at the Midlands, Wales and West Garden Centre Association (GCA) Awards. Coming first place in the Local Garden Centre Category for the Wales and West Region, the garden centre, which is part of The Gardens Group, was commended for its environmental and sustainability credentials as well as creating a welcoming and enjoyable shopping experience for customers.
The houseplant department at Poundbury Gardens was also recognised, as it took first place for the Ian Boardman Award for Best Indoor Plants Retailer in the Local Garden Centre Category, while its Giftware section scooped second place in the Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer, as well as The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer.
Jon Nash, manager of Poundbury Gardens, explains: “This is a fantastic achievement for our garden centre and is a testament to the team’s skill, enthusiasm and hard work across all departments. Working in a sustainable way and engaging with the local community is at the heart of everything we do at Poundbury Gardens and across The Gardens Group, so to be recognised on a regional level is truly special.”
Further awards came for The Gardens Group’s plantaria bedding and hardy plants at all three of its garden centres, as Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil came first in the Ruxley Rose competition and Poundbury Gardens came second in the Local Garden Centre category, while Castle Gardens in Sherborne came first in the Garden Centre Category. All three garden centres will go through to a second round of judging in September to determine the overall winners in the region.
Over the course of 12 weeks, GCA judge, Colin Farquhar made a number of unannounced visits to garden centres across the Midlands, Wales and West, before the final awards were announced at a presentation held at Melbicks Garden Centre in Birmingham on Tuesday 9 July. This was the first year that the awards covered the Midlands, Wales and West and the first time the awards were split into three categories, Local Garden Centre, Garden Centre and Destination Garden Centre.
For more information about the GCA awards, please visit gca.org.uk.
The team from Poundbury Gardens with GCA CEO, Peter Burks (centre) and GCA Inspector, Colin Farquhar (back left).