Tates of Sussex Garden Centres, welcomed James McCleary MP to their Paradise Park Garden Centre at Newhaven, East Sussex on Thursday (6th February 2025) to discuss the challenges the family business is facing from the impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 and concerns that the government is not providing enough support to the horticultural sector.

Sarah Mead (Director), fifth generation of the Tate family explained the financial cost to the business that the NIC and minimum wage increase will have and the desire not to simply pass this extra cost onto their loyal customer base.

Mark Gilbert (Director) further explained the value of the horticulture sector in the wider context on how valuable it was for well-being and referenced the recent Oxford Economics report commissioned by Environmental Horticultural Group on how much value the industry adds to the economy.

These points were received from the Lib Dem MP and his team with good understanding of the challenging situation SME’s find themselves in with current government policies.

Pictured (left to right): Sarah Mead (Tates Director), Sarah Osbourne (local councillor), James McCleary MP, Mark Gilbert (Tates Director).