The GCA audits inspection team handed out trophies to top-scoring centres in the 2014 inspections round at yesterday's conference session.

Joint winners of the Environmental and Community Award were Poplars and Simpsons, with Planters at Bretby second and Garden Wise and Thompsons Canterbury joint third.

The Barton Grange Trophy for creativity and innovation went to Planters at Tamworth. Webbs of Wychbold were second and Burston Rose & Garden Centre third.

Sunshine GC won the Customer Service Award, with Scotsdales runners-up and Ayletts in third place.

The garden centre Indoor Lifestyle award went top Fairways of Ashbourne. Harlow Carr were second and Garden Wise third, while the destination award for the category was taken jointly by Burford and Poplars. Perrywood and Raemoir were joint runner-up and Squires Twickenham were third highest scorers.

  

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Product Retailer was won by Cowells in the garden centre category (Garden Wise were runners up and Fairways Ashbourne third); the destination centre winners were Barton Grange, with Burston second and Burford third.

The Dick Allen Trophy for the most improved score went to RHS Hyde Hall (who increased their marks by 13% over the previous year). Podington came second and Brechin Castle third.

  

Weber’s Outdoor Living Award was won by Sunshine (Donagadee  second, Klondyke Beverley and Frosts Brampton third) in the garden centre category. Van Hage Great Amwell were destination centre winners, Hayes Garden World and Whitehall Laock coming joint second and Poplars third.

Finally, the Ifse Award for Catering Excellence was taken by Fron Goch. (runners-up Klondyke Wilmslow, third Klondyke High Legh) while Bents and Frosts Woburn Sand were joint destination centre winners, Barton Grange and Chessington coming joint second and Ruxley Manor third.