A new garden centre, nestled within the grounds of Galgorm Castle and Golf Club, Ballymena, County Antrim, has created 60 new jobs for residents in the surrounding area...
Creative Gardens, which was set up over 30 years ago by Diana Gass, with two existing garden centre locations in Donaghadee and Bushmills.
The Gass family will be opening the new 32,000 sq ft garden centre and cafe at Galgorm in the coming weeks, where it will employ 60 full and part time staff, with roles including horticultural experts, chefs, bakers and part time students.
Recruitment for the new positions took place over the Christmas period and in to early New Year, and staff are now set for the official opening of the centre, which will take place on February 14.
Philip Gass, company director, said: “It is a very exciting time for Creative Gardens, and we are absolutely delighted to be opening a centre in the Galgorm area. Christopher Brooke, who is an owner at Galgorm Castle Estates, approached us about three years ago, and we jumped at the chance to open a centre within the beautiful grounds that the Estate has to offer.
“This is a significant and exciting move in our plan to expand our existing business, and we are really looking forward to welcoming all members of the local community through our doors once we open this February.”
Creative Gardens specialise in all year round, colourful plants for both the experienced gardener and beginner alike. Plants are complemented by a huge range of garden accessories, giftware and interiors, with a highlight of the Creative Gardens calendar being their annual Christmas shop.
In addition to the main shop at Creative Gardens, the new centre at Galgorm will also include one of the business’s popular cafes, offering the best in home style cooking and baking.
Mr Gass, who works alongside family members Oliver and Jenny, and mother Diana, added: “We pride ourselves in the fact that we are a local, family run company, who employ local people and source local products where at all possible. We are looking forward to a very bright future here, and will do our best to enhance the already wonderful atmosphere at Galgorm.”
