STAFF at garden centres across the Wales & West region are celebrating after scooping awards during a Garden Centre Association (GCA) presentation evening at Cadbury Garden Centre, on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre was awarded the title of Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe received the accolade in the Garden Centre (GC) category.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO, said: “Our Wales & West regional awards meeting was a huge success and I’d like to thank all those who attended. It was great to hear our GCA Inspector, Phil McCann’s feedback from his inspections of the centres. Now our members can take this vital information back with them to their centres and hand out the praise and make any changes needed too.

“A big ‘thank you’ must also go to Cadbury Garden Centre at Congresbury near Bristol. The team there were fantastic hosts for the evening.”

Phil was responsible for inspecting member garden centres in the Wales & West area across a 12-week period where he made unannounced visits.

He said: “The standard of garden centres in Wales & West is outstanding, proving that the best garden centres are clearly GCA members. From my visits, it is apparent that customers are extremely well cared for by knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, who love the work they are doing for their local community.”

As well as it’s Garden Centre of the Year in the DGC category win, The Old Railway Line Garden Centre scooped six other awards on the night.

Finance Director, Huw Lewis from The Old Railway Line Garden Centre said: “We’re over the moon to have won against other great garden centres in the Wales & West area that are all continuing to improve every year. We could not have done this without the support and hard work of our amazing team, and we thank them for their undying commitment.”

As well as Wenvoe being named as Garden Centre of the Year in the GC category, Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe and Pugh’s Radyr also amassed many other awards on the night too.

Nicola Pugh, Director, said: “We are exceptionally proud of our team and all the hard work and dedication that they have put it. We would like to thank them all for their never-ending commitment and enthusiasm. We’re proud to be part of the GCA and our fantastic industry.”

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

Garden Centre of the Year: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC)

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

Environment and Sustainability Award sponsored by Savills: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Pugh’s Radyr

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: joint winners The Old Railway Line Garden Centre and Pugh’s Radyr (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC)

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC) 

The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Pugh’s Radyr (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC)

The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Pugh’s Radyr (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC)

Houseplants: Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC)

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose): The Old Railway Line Garden Centre (DGC) and Orchard Park 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