Craft Advisor and garden centre shortlisted to win awards

A craft advisor and the Somerset garden centre where she is employed have both recently (September 10, 2013) been shortlisted for the Somerset Business Awards.
 
Chloe Heilbronn, who works at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre at Monkton Heathfield near Taunton, is through to the next stage in the ‘Young Business Employee of the Year’ category.
 
The 18-year-old, who lives in Taunton, said: “I’m so thrilled to be shortlisted for the award. Working in the Craft Centre has been a great way for me to get hands-on experience in the industry.
 
“I’ve been able to develop my knowledge of crafts considerably and learn from expert crafters who visit the centre. I really enjoy advising customers, getting to know the regulars and seeing their latest creations.”
 
Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre has also been shortlisted for the Business of the Year Award for 51+ employees and the Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year in the Somerset Business Awards.
 
Chloe was appointed as Craft Advisor at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre in June (2013) after successfully completing a 12 month apprenticeship scheme.
 
Chloe now takes all the regular children’s craft workshops and she has introduced a new craft, decopatch, to the centre.
 
Norma Moore, General Manager of the award-winning, independent, family-run garden centre said: “We’re delighted with Chloe and how well she has done since starting her apprenticeship with us in May 2012.
 
“She has very quickly grasped the skills required to work in the Craft Centre. Her knowledge of our crafts meant she was able to advise our customers from the start.
 
“Chloe has developed a good working knowledge of all the areas of the Craft Centre business and is now adept at chatting to people about knitting, sewing, card making and all other aspects of her work.”
 
The specialist Craft Centre, which was launched in 2008, sells a wide range of papercraft supplies and knitting yarns, as well as ribbons, buttons and more. It offers helpful advice to all customers and has a range of classes and free demonstrations all year round.
 
Norma added: “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for the Business of the Year and the Albert Goodman Family Business awards too. It feels fantastic to have reached the next stage in these categories and we’d like to wish good luck to everyone else who has been thus far successful.”
 
The garden centre was awarded the Albert Goodman Family Business Award at the Somerset Business Awards in 2012.
 
For more information, please visit Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, which is located just off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield between Bridgwater and Taunton or call 01823 412381.
 
Alternatively, please visit www.monktonelmgardencentre.co.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/Monktonelm or follow the company on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/Monktonelm.