GCA’s South Thames area winners revealed

The winners of the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) South Thames regional awards were revealed during a presentation evening yesterday (Wednesday, July 26, 2017) at Castle Gardens in Dorset.

The title of Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was awarded to Haskins Garden Centre – Roundstone and the Garden Centre (GC) category award went to Squires Garden Centre – Hersham.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “This was our fourth regional awards meeting of the month and it was a great success. I’d like to offer thanks to Castle Gardens for being brilliant hosts and congratulate all our very deserving award-winners, who were inspected by Michael Cole.

“Other awards on the night included The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity, which was awarded to Haskins Garden Centre – Roundstone and the Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre, which went to Hillier Garden Centre – Braishfield.

“We’re now looking forward to the penultimate regional awards night for the North Thames area tonight at Ayletts Nurseries in Hertfordshire. The final awards night will take place on September 7 at Klondyke Mayfield to announce the Scotland and Northern Ireland area award winners.”

The full results for the South Thames region GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:

• Garden Centre of the Year: Squires Garden Centre – Hersham (GC) and Haskins Garden Centre – Roundstone (DGC)
• Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: Haskins Garden Centre – Ferndown
• Environment and Community Award for Best Environmental Practice: Stewarts Garden Centre – Christchurch
• The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity: Haskins Garden Centre – Roundstone
• The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Hillier Garden Centre – Braishfield
• The ifse Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Squires Garden Centre – Hersham (GC) and Haskins Garden Centre – Southampton (DGC) joint winner with Chessington Garden Centre (DGC)
• The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Squires Garden Centre – Hersham (GC) and Haskins Garden Centre – Roundstone (DGC)
• Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Squires Garden Centre – Hersham (GC) and Ruxley Manor Garden Centre (DGC)
• Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Squires Garden Centre – Long Ditton (GC) and Stewarts Garden Centre – Christchurch (DGC) joint winner with Haskins Garden Centre – Roundstone (DGC)

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.

For further information, please call 01244 952170. Alternatively, please visit www.gca.org.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/GardenCentreAssociation or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association.