Brilliant…fantastic…awe-inspiring…these were some of the words of praise showered on garden centres by retail consultant Neville Stein at the GCA Conference in Chester yesterday for their Christmas displays.

“What you are doing is world class,” he told delegates before announcing the winners of this year’s GCA Christmas competition. “We in the UK lead the world in garden retailing, with displays created by very skilful people. Congratulate your staff on doing a really great job.”

Neville judged Castle Gardens at Sherborne as winners in the garden centre category, with Squires Shepperton runners-up and Fron Goch in third place. In the destination centre category, Bents took top honours, with Van Hage at Great Amwell second and Webbs of Wychbold third.

He applauded the effort many centres had put into the plant content of their Christmas displays. “We are garden centres,” he said, “so should we not be be strong on this?”