GCA Reveals North East & North West 2023 Winners

GARDEN Centre Association (GCA) members across the North East and North West had plenty to cheer about yesterday (Wednesday, July 5) after picking up a bevvy of awards during a presentation at Tingley Garden Centre. 

The North East’s Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was Cowell’s Garden Centre with Klondyke Beverley Garden Centre in the Garden Centre (GC) category. In the North West, Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and Klondyke Wilmslow Garden Centre (GC) received the accolades. 

Peter Burks, CEO at the GCA, said: “It was great to see so many members and their teams in attendance at our regional awards meeting this year. They were really paying close attention to our inspector, Colin Farquahar’s feedback and listening to what he had to say. Now is the optimum time for our members to take his comments on board, relay them to the rest of their teams, to accentuate all the positives and work on any changes that may be needed too. Thank you also to Tingley Garden Centre for hosting us too. It was great to visit the garden centre and meet the team.” 

Colin visited member garden centres in the North East and North West across a 12-week period to reach his findings.

He said: “The operational standards within the centres in the North East and North West during this year’s inspection window was truly outstanding with teams ensuring that customers received the best service possible. It was evident from the inspections that winning the coveted awards was a motivating factor for many to go above and beyond on a daily basis, it was a pleasure to inspect in this environment.” 

The full results for the North East and North West region GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories: 

North East  

Garden Centre of the Year: Cowell’s Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Beverley Garden Centre (GC) 

Best Customer Service: Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre 

Environment and Sustainability Award sponsored by Savills: Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre 

The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity: Cowell’s Garden Centre 

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: British Garden Centres, Arcadia 

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Tong Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Beverley Garden Centre (GC) 

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (DGC) and Moss and Moor (GC)

The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Garforth Garden Centre (GC) 

The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Tong Garden Centre (DGC) and Moss and Moor (GC) 

Houseplants: Cowell’s Garden Centre (DGC) and joint GCs Klondyke Garforth Garden Centre and Klondyke Beverley Garden Centre (GC) 

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose): Cowell’s Garden Centre (DGC) and Langlands Garden Centre, Leeds (GC)

North West 

Garden Centre of the Year: Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and Klondyke Wilmslow Garden Centre (GC) 

Best Customer Service: Fron Goch Garden Centre

Environment and Sustainability Award sponsored by Savills: Bents Garden and Home

The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity: Bents Garden and Home

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Klondyke Houghton Hall Garden Centre

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and joint GC winners Klondyke Holland Arms Garden Centre, Klondyke Brookside Garden Centre and Klondyke Lady Green Garden Centre (GC)

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Joint DGC winners Bents Garden and Home and Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Astbury Meadow Garden Centre (GC)

The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Gordale Garden Centre (DGC) and RHS Bridgewater Plant Centre and Shop (GC)

The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and Klondyke Astbury Meadow Garden Centre (GC)

Houseplants: Hayes Garden Centre (DGC) and RHS Bridgewater Plant Centre and Shop (GC)

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose): Fron Goch Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Lady Green Garden Centre (GC).

The GCA represents more than 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 visit www.gca.org.uk.

Source : Garden Centre Association

Image : The team from Bents Garden and Home with their awards, including one for North West Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category with (back row L-R) GCA CEO Peter Burks, GCA Inspector, Colin Farquahar and Area Chairman, Justin Williams.

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