Our members in Scotland and Northern Ireland are celebrating after picking up awards during a presentation evening last week (Wednesday, August 29) at Simpsons Garden Centre.
In Scotland The Mains of Drum Garden Centre was awarded Garden Centre of the Year in the Garden Centre (GC) category and Simpsons Garden Centre in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category. In Northern Ireland the award for Garden Centre of the Year (GC) went to Creative Gardens Donaghadee.
Our final regional awards presentation evening was a huge success and it was wonderful to hear from Inspector Alyson Haywood, who presented her findings from her inspections, which took place earlier in the year.
It was great to see all of our members taking in all the feedback from Alyson and we hope to see it all put into practice in the very near future.
In Scotland, Caulders Garden Centre, Kirkintilloch picked up The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre and Creative Gardens, Bushmills received the same award in Northern Ireland.
The national winners of Garden Centre of the Year and Destination Garden Centre of the Year are announced at the GCA annual conference taking place in January 2019.
The 2019 GCA Annual Conference takes place at Luton Hoo from January 20-23. Members will be able to book their places soon and the GCA will be announcing speakers in the near future as well.
The full results for Scotland and Northern Ireland GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:
Scotland
Garden Centre of the Year: The Mains of Drum Garden Centre (GC) and Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC)
Best Customer Service: The Mains of Drum Garden Centre
Environment and Community Award: Garden Wise – Dumfries
The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity: Simpsons Garden Centre
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Caulders Garden Centre, Kirkintilloch
The ifse Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Klondyke Mayfield Garden Centre (GC) and Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC)
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: The Mains of Drum Garden Centre (GC) and Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC)
Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: The Mains of Drum Garden Centre (GC) and Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC)
Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Gouldings Garden Centre (GC) and Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC)
Northern Ireland
Garden Centre of the Year: Creative Gardens Donaghadee (GC)
Best Customer Service: Joint winners Creative Gardens Bushmills (GC) and Creative Gardens Donaghadee (GC)
Environment and Community Award: Creative Gardens – Galgorm Castle
The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity: Creative Gardens Donaghadee
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Creative Gardens Bushmills
The ifse Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Creative Gardens Donaghadee (GC)
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Creative Gardens Donaghadee
Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Creative Gardens Donaghadee (GC)
Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Creative Gardens Bushmills (GC)