The team at British Garden Centres took the opportunity of a brief lull in trading on Easter Sunday to express their huge thanks to their industry friends for their help in the last year.
“Without the incredible support of our suppliers and industry friends we wouldn’t have achieved so much in this most unusual of times,” commented Charles Stubbs, joint MD. “We have all faced our challenges but the growers, manufacturers and distributors have worked so hard to ensure we have been able to flourish.”
“When I think back to Easter Sunday 2020, when we were deep in lockdown 1, not even my most optimistic hopes could foresee what was to come! Despite furlough, material shortages and social distancing everyone has done so well to service the needs of our ever growing customer base. Launching our ‘Family Card’ last month was a delight as it gives us an opportunity to properly welcome everyone in to the BGC family.”
Charles, Robert, Phillippa & Amy Stubbs along with Antony Harker and his family and their extended family of 2,500 colleagues have spent the last year investing time, energy and money in the group’s 58 centres to ensure they’re set to best serve their local communities. Projects have ranged from the creation of new restaurants at the likes of Tarporley, Tring and Shipley Park to the complete remodelling of Burford House and opening of Thatcham. Work is progressing well at the latest acquisition, Harrogate Garden Centre, with it set to open in late April.
Final word from Charles turns to his colleagues: “Without the amazing team, which are really all family to me, we couldn’t have got through everything so successfully in the last year. We know that many of them and our customers have had difficult times and our thoughts are with them. Thank you to each and every one of them for facing the challenges in such good spirit.”
And his final, final word… “I’ll be forever grateful to our suppliers but it doesn’t mean I’ll go easy on them when it comes to negotiating!”