A Norfolk garden centre, offering discounts of 50% in a closing down sale, had to shut down early at the weekend after a rush of customers.

Garden Centre Overstrand, near Cromer, announced “with a very heavy heart” that it had taken the decision to close-down, with the final day of trading being September 20. 

In the lead up to the closure, the garden centre said “everything in the store was now 50% off.”

But after a rush of customers eager to take advantage of the huge discounts, the centre posted on its Facebook page: “We have made the decision to close the gates to the centre with immediate effect for the rest of the day. This will ensure the safety of our staff against members of the public who seem to think it’s OK to fill trolleys to the brim and then complain about queues to pay and to get their cars into the centre. A sad state of affairs.”

Twenty-four hours later it posted a second message: “Well, what a day, we had to close gates mid-afternoon to keep our brilliant staff sane and safe. Again a few individuals spoilt it for the majority. Our fantastic team are actually lovely human beings and to witness the way thay have been treated by "customers" over the past 2 days has be unreal. SO tomorrow we open at 10am as usual BUT the gates will be manned and cars will be allowed in as and when space allows. Anyone abusing or being generally rude will be asked to leave and will not be served. This week has been stressful and sad enough for all staff without this behaviour. Rant over...we love all our regular customers and consider you our friends and family.”

The centre re-opened on Tuesday with a plea: “Please respect the staff who are working through this difficult time. Thank you for your understanding and support at this time.”