Hawley Garden Centre at Dartford are to star in an episode of ‘Million Dollar Intern’ a new BBC Worldwide TV show.

The centre was one of a handful of UK businesses picked to take part in the series, which sees an ambitious whizz kid entrepreneur go undercover for a week in an effort to re-energise a business.

Rich Martell (24), a successful Internet and web entrepreneur with a string of businesses to his name, went undercover at Hawley, working as an intern.

The only person who knew Martell’s true identity was centre owner Jan East (pictured right with Rich). “It was very difficult keeping Rich's identity from everyone at the centre - we're a very close group,” she said.  “It’s nerve-wracking waiting to see how we have all been portrayed.”

At the end of the week, Rich the ‘intern’  shared his thoughts with the team in an effort to update their working practises. He suggested Hawley did the following:

• Hold more events throughout  the year.
• Promote the business more on both Facebook and Twitter.
• Hold their gardening talks in the garden centre itself,  rather than go out in individual clubs and societies.

Jan East said they had taken on board some of the suggestions, such as building a social media presence and had already held a number of events, including Mothers Day and Father’s Day present making, an Easter Bonnet Parade, a Managers Talk on gardening and a Fun Dog Show. “W’ere planning a Vintage Car Show, a Fashion Show, ‘Dartford on Ice’  (the return of our ice rink) and skating with Santa as well as our popular Santa’s Grotto and Breakfast with Santa.”

Million Dollar Intern was made by Outline Productions for BBC Worldwide and has been shown around the world. It will be screened on the Watch Channel (109 on Sky) on 28 August at 8pm.

Jan East said: "We've had a wonderful response on Twitter where the show has been seen. We're looking forward to hearing honest feedback from our customers in the Dartford and Gravesham area!"

Hawley Garden Centre were 2013 overall winners of the Dartford & Gravesham Business Awards. Jan East was a runner up in the Kent Women In Business Awards 2014 for 'Kent Business Woman of the Year'.