In This Issue
Kent garden centre closes early for Christmas to keep staff safe
The New Environmentalist - Nature will become ‘second nature’ to future generations
Heaven Sends to launch New Christmas 2021 Preview from Jan 4th
Back to the future...
Whistler Grills looks to recruit Retail Sales Manager
Over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards
WinRetail system lives up to expectations for Grovewell
Get set for Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021!
Centre faced with ‘crazy’ order to close mini golf course
Poinsettia is bestselling plant of the week
Still time for Christmas to end on a high note
Dobbies raises over £1m for Teenage Cancer Trust
Woodlodge to help retailers drive festive sales growth with launch of new Snowlodge Christmas Décor range
Clothing range to open at Bourne Valley
Stax expands range with new SBM Pest Killer
Biggest garden centre in Denmark almost completed
Tony Robson crowned Garland Sales Agent of the Year
Bridgetime Transport supports Festive Productions’ Christmas rush
New titanium coated secateurs for added strength
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Christmas food on the up
Team changes at Hozelock
Garden lighting crosses into Christmas decoration
Tim Jeffries to leave Mr Fothergills
We all love robins in run-up to Christmas
WaterSafe offers winter advice to gardeners
The best of last week's
Haskins to put team wellbeing first this Christmas  
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Compost supply deal for leading organic waste business
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
Poultry specialist easichick launches bumper bedding bale
Interpet appoints international sales manager
Sustainable bamboo bowl with style
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Kent garden centre closes early for Christmas to keep staff safe

 

Brookside Garden Centre in Kent has closed early for Christmas to keep their staff safe in light customers not following guidelines and being abusive.  "If I don’t feel safe in my own shop, then I cannot and will not expect my staff to put themselves in harms way," owner Simon Shead told GTN Xtra last night.

 

The full announcement posted on facebook and their website reads:

 

URGENT UPDATE: Over the last 2 days, we at Brookside have been keeping a careful eye on everything that has been happening since we entered Tier 4. What we have noticed is that many people who have visited appear to be doing so for none essential reasons. Some of these people have also not been following guidelines as set out by the government. Namely, the use of face masks, the size of groups and meeting other households.

 

While we are aware that these guidelines are restrictive, we also acknowledge that they are 100% necessary. Our staff have been doing their best to keep loyal and rule abiding customers as safe as possible as well as themselves. However many of those confronted about guideline breaches have reacted poorly. From near aggressive behaviour to merely ignoring directions to do as asked.

 

If I don’t feel safe in my own shop, then cannot and will not expect my staff to put themselves in harms way. They have worked tirelessly over the last 9-10 months and do not deserve to be treated poorly for their efforts. It is for this reason that we deeply regret to announce that effective immediately, Brookside Garden Centre will be closing until Tuesday 29th December so as to keep our staff safe.

 

To all those who have supported us through these testing times, we thank you and wish you a safe Christmas and we hope to see you soon.

 

Yours,
Simon Shead Owner

 

Simon suggested that other garden centres should follow his lead where customers are not following guidelines. "Money doesn't save lives, staff save companies," he added.

 

This morning Simon and his team have been busy sorting e-mails and phone calls.  "all saying good and positive views with lots of excellent comments and congtratulations to us for taking this action."

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Robin Tuppen
Good call Simon.