Bents celebrates 85th anniversary with arrival of Lakeland

by | Feb 16, 2022 | News | 0 comments

In its 85th anniversary year, Bents Garden & Home in Glazebury is welcoming kitchenware and home brand Lakeland to the store later this year.

It is 85 years since Alfred and Margaret Bent started to sell roses from the front garden of their small terrace house. Over the past 85 years, Bents has worked hard to create somewhere that is focused on the garden but also encompasses home, lifestyle and leisure. Bents says the arrival of fellow family business Lakeland further enhances its appeal as a complete day out destination centre.

Matthew Bent, managing director, says: “As a family business we’ve never been ones to rest on our laurels. We’ve always followed our passions and taken chances, and we are committed to quality, outstanding customer service and innovation, all of which are in line with Lakeland’s own philosophies and approach to their own family business. 

“With their unrivalled collection of creative kitchenware and practical, time and effort saving ideas for the home we believe that they are going to fit perfectly into our family business, and we are all looking forward to welcoming them in store.”

Emma Kay, head of property at Lakeland adds: “We are delighted to be opening a new Lakeland store at Bents Garden & Home. It is a fantastic centre for our customers to visit, and is run on the same strong family values that are so important to us. Lakeland customers enjoy exploring our innovative, high quality kitchen and homeware products, which we believe will complement the existing offering at Bents really well. We know that we have many loyal customers in this area who will welcome the opening of our new store and we are looking forward to announcing our opening date and welcoming into store later this year.”

Over the past 85 years Bents has undergone a number of key milestones many of which were introduced by Matthew’s parents, Ron and Wendy Bent and went on to establish a number of key trends within the garden centre industry. 

For instance, 2017 saw the launch of the UK’s first Open Skies Glass House, an all-weather destination where customers can shop for plants come rain or shine. More recent years have seen the opening of a £10m extension, housing a number of new home and leisure departments, including an extensive Food Hall and Pet Place with its own Pet Cafe. 

Established in 1937 Bents is now in its third generation, with four of Alfred and Margaret’s grandchildren involved in the business: Matthew Bent, managing director; Rachel Bent, head of visual merchandising; Helen Bent, head of marketing; and Katherine Bent, head of HR. Under the guidance of three generations of the Bent family it is now a £25m turnover operation, employing more than400 colleagues. 

Now, with a number of different dining destinations, outdoor play area, landscaped lake, Jurassic Cove Adventure Golf Course and on site nursery, where it grows and nurtures over 60% of its plants, Bents is a very different entity to when it began life 85 years ago, but Matthew says: “Despite growing in size we’ve worked hard to keep the great family feeling and ambiance we have established a reputation for; something I think my grandparents would be very proud of if they could see us now.”

more latest news ➡

Feverfew launched new gardening apparel for women

Meet the supplier: Feverfew Garden Co

Taking the gardening glove market by storm, Feverfew Garden Co is the UK’s first garden wear brand exclusively designed for women, by women. Garden Centre Retail catches up with Rachel Eunson, the driving force behind the brand. As with many recent ventures,...

HSBC economist

Ex HSBC economist to speak at GCA conference 2024

Former HSBC Head of Economics will be helping delegates at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference understand the resurgence of inflation and the challenges that it continues to bring (January 28 until 31, 2024). Mark Berrisford-Smith, who worked...

Primeur Whiskey Barrel

Primeur launches new range of recycled planters

Looking to the 2024 season, garden retailers can step up their sustainability game and enhance their outdoor offer with a brand-new Primeur range of recycled planter designs and colourways. If you are keen to stay ahead of the curve and meet the increasing demand...

Sustainable pest control launched on GROW platform

GCA GROW launches sustainable pest control course

Garden centre staff can now gain knowledge to help customers to deter and combat pests in a more natural, sustainable way via the GCA GROW (Garden Retail Online Workshops) e-Learning platform. The organisation has launched its new Sustainable Pest Control course....

Rising stars with Gordon Emslie

Rising Stars finalists announced

Five individuals from GCA member garden centres have reached the finals of the industry body’s Rising Stars programme sponsored by Westland Horticulture. The staff were put forward by their garden centres and took part in a series of workshops this year. GCA...

Read GCR's latest edition!

Subscribe ToThe Wednesday Word

Subscribe To
The Wednesday Word

 

Get all the latest news, events & more straight to your inbox every Wednesday.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This