Scottish Garden Centres may open from Friday 29th

Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland can now move to phase one of easing the lockdown. Garden centres will be permitted to reopen from Friday 29th May.

The reopening of garden centres in Scotland comes 11 days later than the release of those in England.

Caution

The HTA said yesterday, “We urge all Scottish members not to reopen… until the reopening date is confirmed and you are confident you are following the necessary social distancing measures. The HTA have published a Safe Trading Guidance to help advise all garden centre operators."

Dobbies to open 12 stores

Dobbies immediately announced that it would open 12 stores across Scotland on Friday 29 May. A queuing system will be in operation outside the stores, with two metre markers in place to help maintain social distancing. Hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations will be available at the entrance of all stores. The restaurants and soft plays will remain temporarily closed.

HTA calls for Dutch-style grant

HTA Chairman, James Barnes, said, “It is welcome news that garden centres in Scotland will now be able to re-open tomorrow as part of the first phase of relaxing lockdown. However, the delay in re-opening has meant that the Scottish horticulture industry is at a significant disadvantage to the rest of the UK, having lost a crucial trading period at a daily cost of £1 million.

“This has severely impacted growers and increases the need for the Scottish Government to bring forward a Dutch-style grant aid scheme for plant nurseries as soon as possible. We have raised this with the Scottish Government and will be following up with them on the immediacy of the issue for our members.

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Supplier,  28 May 2020:
...Unfortunately Scottish centres have missed out on two amazing weeks of sales, and are now about to open when suppliers stocks have been hit hard, and many best sellers are now out of stock!

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