Why do we love them?
It’s 70 years since the first garden center opened in the UK, heralding the beginning of a popular shopping pastime.
Seventy years later, the industry continues to thrive, with an estimated 1,500 garden centers and retail nurseries in the UK.
According to the Horticultural Trade Association (HTA), garden center visits in the UK will reach 203 million by 2024; More than two-thirds of adults have visited a garden centre.
Talented gardener David Jones regularly spends his afternoons at garden centers in Staffordshire.
“Oh, you can’t keep me away from garden centres,” he said, “I could live there.”
“We go up to eat, then walk around and shop. They really have everything you could want.”
Mr Jones appreciates gardening tips and advice from center staff [BBC]
The country’s first garden center A modest cottage was opened by Edward Stewart in Dorset, selling potted plants and garden supplies from his nursery.
Jacksons Nurseries in Bagnall, Staffordshire have been trading for 65 years.
Manager Luke Jackson left a high-powered job at Barclays in London’s East End to return home and run the family nursery.
He said his customers share his love of the outdoors, and deciding to be the third generation to run the business was a big draw.
He smiled, pleased with his decision, “It’s quite a stark contrast being here in the countryside.”
He said he enjoyed “the opportunity to be outside, get some fresh air and also grow and develop the business.”
Mr Jackson is the third generation of his family to take charge of the 10-acre nursery [BBC]
Jacksons also has a popular cafe, and HTA’s research shows 82% of gardening center visitors will use the cafe at least once in 2024.
That’s certainly part of the appeal for Jackson’s customer Julie Cooper, who describes it as a place where the whole family can eat, drink and explore.
“There’s good social interaction with other people, it’s relaxing and inspires you for things you want to do at home.”
