In This Issue
MEP's vote to ban glyphosate completely by 2022
Bunnings to test smaller format stores in urban areas
Bents open Winter Food Market in Open Skies
Xylella fastidiosa: UK secures added EU protections
New £1 million garden centre creates 25 jobs
Garden King to open 'Granny Grotto' supporting Alzheimer's Society
Hot October dents gardening but Christmas sales grow
Industry backs Glee at Spring Fair 2018
Breaking new ground at Allensmore Nurseries
Cultivation Street announces new sponsor for 2018
DLF Seeds Ltd confirms exclusive deal to distribute MossOff Chemical Free in UK
Haskins in Roundstone supports sensory room project
HRFC Colts are in the pink thanks to Outback
Thrive gardeners visit Notcutts Oxford and create a haven for wildlife
Dobbies name two Christmas Charities for the first time
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Fordingbridge chairman Edward Way retires
Suki Angels and Snowmen lead the way
Pumpkin twins’ giant beats their own record!
Gardening in pots drives garden product sales
Dare to be different! Programme update for HTA Marketing Forum
Preparing for next year
GARDENA unveils new route to market with sales agents
Orchid sales up by 70%
The best of last week's
Gardman reports £1.5m loss - but earnings soar by 50%
Xylella fastidiosa: how Italy has tackled the problem
Yobs smash up community garden centre
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
CEO of Jamie's Italian confirmed for headline keynote at Casual Dining
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New £1 million garden centre creates 25 jobs


Hillmount Ards has opened its doors following a £1 million investment in transforming the site of the original Thriving Life Church into a 10,000sq ft lifestyle garden centre with the creation of 25 jobs for Newtownards in Northern Ireland.

Robin Mercer, Hillmount Ards, said:  "I always promised my wife Edith that I'd open a garden centre in her home shopping town of Ards and after we opened Hillmount Bangor we began to search for a site. 

"Developing Hillmount Ards has been a real labour of love for Edith, our son Alan and I, and we believe we have created a store where the local community can gather to shop and to relax over coffee, similar to the experience our customers enjoy at our sister garden centres in Bangor and Belfast.  It was also important for us to ensure that some of the characteristics of the original church were retained and for Hillmount Ards to blend naturally into the surrounding countryside and neighbourhood and I am happy to say that we have achieved that."



Speaking at the official launch, Robert Adair, Mayor of Ards and North Down, said: "On behalf of Ards and North Down Borough Council I'd like to welcome Hillmount to Ards and congratulate the Mercer family on the investment and job creation that they have provided for our local area.  We wish you every success with your new venture in the town."

Hillmount Ards official opening extends over Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October with shoppers being treated to barbecue sampling and various activities across the store while browsing the Christmas Shop and 30,000 gardening products including a wide variety of plants, trees and shrubs, exquisite gifts, garden furniture, barbecues and accessories.  Diners in the 55 seater The Gardener's Rest on the first floor mezzanine can relax and enjoy their meal while taking in views across north down from the unique feature window.



The Mercer family has built up an unrivalled reputation in the gardening industry locally since opening their first nursery in Castlereagh almost 80 years ago and the growth into the Newtownards area is a natural development for the family business which now employs almost 100 staff across its three sites.

www.hillmount.co.uk



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