Bents toast to colleagues with over 10 years’ experience

by | Jun 19, 2026 | News | 0 comments

Bents celebrates 10+ club

Bents Garden & Home has celebrated its 10+ Club – a club which welcomes colleagues with 10 or more years’ experience at the Warrington based garden centre – with an event recognising a combined length of service totaling 1097 years.

Since it was launched in 2003 with initial numbers totaling 14, the 10+ Club has continued to grow and membership now stands at 97 with 59 still working within the Centre and a further 38 retired colleagues.

41 current members recently joined the Bents’ family and senior management for a special thank you meal held in the Centre’s Caffe nel Verde. This year’s event paid special recognition to two long serving members who both retired this year; Aileen Rigby from finance and John Hayes from Bents’ warehouse team.

Says Matthew Bent, Managing Director at Bents Garden & Home: “We have an excellent team of colleagues throughout the Centre, many of whom have been with us for a number of years, as demonstrated by the incredible combined length of service figure. We were blown away when we worked it out to be 1097 years!

“And we continue to welcome new members all the time. It is a great way to recognise long-term commitment and we look forward to welcoming even more new members in the years to come.”

Bents 10+ Club

Other highlights from this year’s event recognised Bents’ oldest member of the Club, still working at the Centre at 70 and its youngest member at 30 years old.

Annabel Brennan, Bents’ People & Culture Advisor and member of the 10+club, adds: “So much has happened at Bents in the time I have been here. The business has grown and developed so much but the care and attention they give to colleagues has always remained the same. The dinner is a great opportunity to get together and talk about things that have taken place and generally have a catch up with good friends.”

In addition to Bents’ usual colleague benefits such as birthday vouchers, birthday day off and pension scheme, members of the 10+ Club also receive an additional 5 days holiday.

The club also includes retired colleagues who were original members many of whom continue to attend the annual dinner which provides the ideal opportunity to meet up with old friends and colleagues.

more latest news ➡

Steve Morgan

GCR PROFILES STEVE MORGAN, CHAIR OF ZEST OUTDOOR LIVING

A popular and well-known figure in the garden industry, Steve Morgan is the sort of person you would want to be on your side. In many ways he built Zest and the wider P & A Group of which he is also Chair, to the same model. It’s a family business, where the...

autumn

Moving From Summer to Autumn Without Confusing Customers

Seasonal transitions are among the most delicate moments in retail. For garden centres, where atmosphere and emotion drive purchasing decisions, the shift from summer to autumn must feel natural, not abrupt. Customers should sense continuity, not contradiction....

Engineering before technology

Engineering Before Technology

Commercial organisations across the UK are navigating a rapidly changing energy landscape. Energy systems are evolving, regulation is tightening, costs remain challenging,and expectations around sustainability and resilience continue to increase. In this...

Christmas

Why August Matters More Than October for Christmas

For decades, October was considered the unofficial start of Christmas retail, the moment when festive displays appeared, stock arrived, and customers began to think ahead. But in today’s supply‑chain reality, October is no longer early; it’s reactive. The smartest...

spirits

Craft Spirits, Gifting, and Seasonal Tasting Events

Craft spirits have evolved from niche indulgence to mainstream fascination, and garden‑centre retail is increasingly embracing this shift. With customers seeking authenticity, provenance, and experience, craft spirits offer a natural extension of the lifestyle and...

deli and bakery in garden centres

Bakery & Deli Freshness, Display, and the Power of Smell

Few retail experiences are as instantly evocative as walking into a garden‑centre bakery or deli. The scent of freshly baked bread, the sight of golden pastries, and the hum of conversation around the café create an atmosphere that feels both indulgent and...

footwear

The footwear conundrum: A Year‑Round Opportunity

Footwear has quietly become one of the most consistent performers in garden‑centre retail. Once seen as a functional add‑on, it now represents a category that bridges lifestyle, leisure, and practicality, appealing to customers across seasons and demographics. From...

why fashion works

Why Fashion Works and How to Avoid Common Pitfalls

Fashion in garden centres might once have seemed an unlikely pairing, yet over the past decade, it has become one of the most successful diversification stories in retail. From outdoor lifestyle apparel to giftable accessories, clothing ranges now play a vital role...









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