AN MSP has recognised Cardwell Garden Centre’s achievements by lodging a motion in the Scottish Parliament about its 60th anniversary.

Labour’s Paul O’Kane, a West of Scotland List MSP, has visited Cardwell to present two directors of the garden centre. Drew and Kieran Gallagher with a framed copy of the motion, which received wide cross-party support.

The motion describes Cardwell as a “thriving institution for locals and a must-visit spot for tourists” and that it retains “a great care for serving the local community”.

Cardwell was started in 1962 by the late Eric Gallagher, who began with a small nursery, in Gourock. But the success of the business meant it had to move to a bigger site and that’s where Cardwell is just now at Lunderston Bay. The centre is now run by Eric’s sons and daughter – Drew, Kieran and Stefanie.

Paul O’Kane said: “The garden centre is an institution and it has become a must-go-to place for locals as well as tourists who are visiting the area.

“For a family run business to go from strength to strength and reach a 60th anniversary is a remarkable achievement.

“It was pleasure to raise the anniversary with a parliamentary motion and I hope that, if it ends up on a wall, many of the centre’s visitors will notice it and as a result appreciate the length of time the business has been serving the local community.

“The Gallagher family should be very proud of what they’ve built over 60 years and it’s only right that more people find out and take notice of the family’s achievements.”

Cardwell Garden Centre director, Kieran Gallagher said: “We really appreciate the recognition Paul has given us by lodging a motion with the Scottish Parliament marking Cardwell Garden Centre’s 60th anniversary.

“We strive to maintain the high standards our late father, Eric Gallagher brought to the business when he started it back in 1962.

“We’ve served the people in the west of Scotland’s gardening needs for the past 60 years and we’re always looking at ways to improve the service we provide gardeners.

“We also want to give visitors to Cardwell the best retail and leisure experience – whether it’s buying their gardening essentials, enjoying the Patio Café, or children having fun at our activities for young people.”

The motion Paul O’Kane lodged with the Scottish Parliament reads:

• “That the Parliament understands Cardwell Garden Centre, which is situated in Lunderston Bay, by Gourock, in Inverclyde, is celebrating 60 years of business in 2022;
• “Understands that Cardwell Garden Centre started as a small family business led by Eric Gallagher, who it understands, with little more than some land, sheds and equipment was able to develop his business into a thriving institution for locals and a must-visit spot for tourists that enjoys over 500,000 visitors a year;
• “Further understands that as Eric Gallagher passed away in 2013 the centre is now run by his children, Stef, Kieran and Drew; celebrates that Cardwell Garden Centre has after 60 years enjoyed so much success but ultimately retained a great care for serving the local community;
• “And understands that the centre is already looking to the next 60 years, as it commits itself to the best environmentally friendly practices, including ways to prevent food waste and plant harm.”

Pictured: Paul O’Kane (centre) with Drew Gallagher (left) and Kieran Gallagher.