Wyevale Garden Centres appoints Martin Bitmead and Patrick O’Connor

1 August, 2014 - Wyevale Garden Centres, the UK's largest chain of garden centres, has further strengthened its trading division with the addition of Martin Bitmead as Head of Store Format and Design and Patrick O’Connor as Head of Visual Merchandising.

Kevin Bradshaw, Chief Executive of Wyevale Garden Centres, said: "Wyevale Garden Centres aspires to give our customers an experience in which every step they take in our centres reflects the joy of the garden and offers inspiration. I am delighted to welcome Martin and Patrick, whose industry-leading expertise in store formatting and visual merchandising will help bring the garden to life in our centres and create a fresh and engaging shopping experience for all our customers.”

Martin Bitmead joins Wyevale Garden Centres from B&Q, and prior to that, Homebase, where he delivered new store concepts which balanced customer and commercial needs. Martin’s 14 years of experience in the retail sector and his deep understanding of the home and gardening space will enhance Wyevale Garden Centres’ format strategy, store design, and space planning to improve customer experience.

Patrick O’Connor joins Wyevale Garden Centres from Marks & Spencer, where he was the Head of Visual Merchandising for Home and Foods and led initiatives such as the Home standalone store concept. Patrick’s previous experience includes roles at Heals, Breuninger, and Habitat. As Head of Visual Merchandising, Patrick will focus on creating inspirational product presentation.

About Wyevale Garden Centres
Wyevale Garden Centres, formerly The Garden Centre Group, is the nation’s largest group of garden centres, with 140 centres across the country. Wyevale Garden Centres’ mission is to bring the joy of the garden to everyone, providing a place where anyone can come to find help, ideas and inspiration. Ninety per cent of Wyevale Garden Centres’ plant stock is British-grown, and much of this stock is grown in its own nurseries. Wyevale Garden Centres employs more than 5,000 staff and runs its own gardening membership club, The Gardening Club, which has more than 2.5 million members. For more information visit www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk