Hillier celebrates job-creating refurbishment by handing £35,202 to charity

Hillier Garden Centre is celebrating the results of its refurbishment programme, which has contributed to improved sustainability and increased employment in Horsham.

TV actor Richard Hawley, who stars in the new BBC drama Mayday, Hillier Garden Centre Manager Terry Clarke and Managing Director Andy McIndoe began a weekend celebration event (March 1-3) by presenting a cheque for £35,202 to the Alzheimer’s Society: their chosen charity for 2012. The celebrations continued with children’s entertainment and special offers on Saturday March 2 and Sunday March 3.

Chairman Robert Hillier OBE said: “What better way to celebrate our new developments than mark the hard work and generous nature of the customers and staff that helped us get here? This money was raised last year, while our refurbishment work was taking place, and our colleagues and visitors clearly didn’t get distracted from the very worthy cause!”

Commenting on the improvements to the garden centre, which has operated for over 35 years on a site originally used as a rose nursery, Mr Hillier said: “We have improved accessibility, added a new foyer and a new roof which is more eco-friendly, as well as adding a new plant centre and revamping Café Rowan. The benefits are far reaching: we have an attractive, more energy efficient centre with more parking and we have also retained 60 jobs and created 12 more.”

Mr Hillier added that more job opportunities would follow as the centre, on Brighton Road, Horsham, continues to grow.

Following the presentation Hillier Managing Director and Chelsea Designer Andy McIndoe and Show Garden Designer Paul Hervey-Brooks gave a humorous talk on ‘My Life in Gardening’ sure to inspire anyone considering a career in horticulture.

Hillier Garden Centre in Horsham has all the plants and expertise you need to create the outdoor space you desire. With an on-site shoe and clothes shops, swimming pool company, café, piazza and shop perfect for buying gifts and garden paraphernalia, plus a neighbouring birds of prey centre, there is plenty to see and do.

Hillier’s events programme continues with an Easter Egg Hunt in March. More information on this and other forthcoming events including talks and workshops are available in store, on Twitter @HillierHorsham and on the Hillier website www.hillier.com.

Hillier’s Café Rowan has a special offer on hot drinks for early bird shoppers. Buy one hot drink and get one free any weekday before 10am.