BIS HTA Study Tour Scotland June 2024
The first HTA Business Improvement Study Tour of 2024, sponsored by Westland horticulture and Smart Garden took place earlier this month.
A group of 35 Garden centre owners, managers and staff, lead by BIS consultant Alyson Haywood, explored various garden centres in Scotland.
Their journey took them from Caulders in Cumbernauld, complete with their trademark purple plant benches to Simpsons in Inverness, a former BIS member from the noughties, with its huge Fordingbridge canopy and strong sustainability messages.
The group travelled via Glendoick garden centre, famous for its rhododendron heritage and Mains of Drum Garden centre with its imposing baronial tower and exquisite visual merchandising.
The group popped in at Gloagburn farm shop on the return leg; an interesting example of business development and diversification. Final stop was to Bennybeg Plant shop at Crieff also BIS members who started the site from scratch in 2009.
These study tours provide HTA BIS members with a unique opportunity to explore garden centres in diverse locations, gaining inspiration and insights to apply to their own businesses. Additionally, the tours serve as an excellent networking forum for exchanging knowledge, ideas, and discussing business performance.