Six new roles have been created at Tong Garden Centre– all filled internally – as part of the Bradford centre’s £3.5m three-year expansion plan. There have also been three internal promotions
Former centre manager Andy Mears has been promoted to general manager and assumes responsibility for managing the entire site and its 147 staff, property, warehousing, buildings, health and safety in addition to the retail team and shop floor.
The other new roles and promotions are:
- Assistant general manager: Andrew Tyers
- Indoor manager : Dennis Keen
- Outdoor manager: Dave Clayforth
- Garden sundries and Christmas buyer: Phil Hemmings
- Inventory controller: Clair Spencer
- Sundries supervisor: James Tolson
- Senior customer services advisor: Ann Smith
- Marketing assistant: James Beaumont.
Tong's commercial director, Sharon McNair, said: “These promotions are very well deserved and I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone grows into their new roles as we embark on our next phase of growth in the business.”

Left to right: Dennis Keen, Andy Mears, Clair Spencer, Phil Hemmings, Andrew Tyers and Dave Clayforth.