GCA members raise a wee dram in celebration of awards

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has recently (August 22, 2012) revealed the Best in Area winners for Scotland and Northern Ireland at an awards presentation evening.

The results, including Best Garden Centre and Best Plant Department, were announced at the event at Howdens Garden Centre in Inverness on Wednesday, August 22.

Peter Burks, Chairman of the GCA, said: “This was the final award ceremony for the Best in Area presentations and it was another great event. Those present raised a wee dram in celebration of their achievements. The awards were presented by Liz Hutson, who carried out the inspections for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“Congratulations go to all members who picked up awards. Winners of the Best Garden Centre were as follows for the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) and Garden Centre (GC) categories: Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC) in Inverness and Goulding’s Garden Centre (GC) in Clyde Valley for Scotland and Donaghadee Garden Centre (GC) in County Down for Northern Ireland.

“Best Plant Department went to Raemoir Garden Centre (DGC) in Kincardineshire and Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre (GC) in Dumfries for Scotland and Donaghadee Garden Centre (GC) for Northern Ireland. Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC) and Rosebank Garden Centre (GC) in Clyde Valley were named most improved in Scotland and Donaghadee Garden Centre (GC) for Northern Ireland.”

Peter added: “The winners of the Best Service and Facilities were Raemoir Garden Centre (DGC) and Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre (GC) for Scotland and Bushmills Garden Centre in County Antrim (GC) for Northern Ireland. Best Pets and Aquatics went to Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC) and Mayfield Garden Centre (GC) in Kelso for Scotland.

“There were many other awards given out during the events, including Best Restaurant, Best Lifestyle Retailer and Best Display and members that achieved more than 80% in their inspections also received Highly Commended awards.”

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide. Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

Liz said: “The calibre of the GCA garden centres in Scotland and Northern Ireland was high. They are constantly striving for improvement and it was very uplifting to see just how enthusiastic and determined many members are and how they utilise the inspection process as an additional tool to benchmark and benefit their businesses.”

For further details about the GCA, please call 01993 871456, visit www.gca.org.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/Garden-Centre-Association or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association.