Garden Centres To Remain Open In England And Scotland During Lockdown

From Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December all non-essential retail must close.

Only essential retailers such as food shops, supermarkets, garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods and services can remain open. They should follow COVID-secure guidelines to protect customers, visitors and workers.

Playgrounds can also remain open.

Hospitality venues like restaurants, bars and pubs must close, but can still provide takeaway and delivery services. However, takeaway of alcohol will not be allowed.

A huge relief

James Clark, Director of Policy and Communications at the HTA said, “This announcement to keep garden centres open in England during lockdown is a huge relief and very welcome for members – not only garden centres, but for those in the supply chain.

“We have been making the case to the Government in England in the last few months and of course today on why garden centres should be classified as ‘essential’ retail in lockdown. Credit to those in Government for this massively significant decision.

“Garden centres offer … one of the safest retail environments. It’s important for garden centres to continue to reassert the exemplar social distancing and safe trading measures they have put in place.

"Garden centres staying open will benefit everyone across the country bringing much needed mental and physical benefits as people have to stay at home."

England and Scotland but not Wales

This announcement, alongside a similar decision in Scotland on Friday, will support HTA efforts in Wales to make sure garden centres are listed as ‘essential’ for any future lockdown decisions there.

Source : Reproduced with permission from George Bullivant at Gardenforum

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