The Garden Centre Association has announced the finalists in its annual Ruxley Rose competition.
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20 centres all received top scores in the spring bedding and hardy nursery stock categories from recent inspections.
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Each will now go forward for autumn judging.
The Ruxley Rose Judging process
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Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: ?Our member centres received visits from our inspectors in the spring.
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“We have found the 10 finalists in the Garden Centre category, and the 10 finalists in the Destination Garden Centre category.”
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The finalists will go through to the autumn competition.
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Judge Michael Cole will visit the centres in September.
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Michael will check how members are continuing to promote and sell plants during autumn.
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He will also judge the centres on their quality, presentation and range of plants available, as well as the layout of their plant areas.
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Iain says: “Michael will also look at the impression, access and use of demonstration areas.
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?Staff at our member centres are also being judged on their knowledge and customer care and service.”
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A winner from each category will be determined and announced during the GCA?s annual conference in January, 2019.
The Ruxley Rose finalists in the Garden Centre category
- Cowell?s Garden Centre
- Gouldings Garden Centre
- Mains of Drum Garden Centre Ltd
- Pacific Nurseries
- Planters Garden Centre at Bretby Ltd
- RHS Hyde Hall Plant Centre & Gift Shop
- Squires Garden Centre, Hersham
- Squires Garden Centre, Long Ditton
- The Old Railway Line Garden Centre
- Thompson?s Plant & Garden Centre, Chislehurst.
The Ruxley Rose finalists in the Destination Garden Centre category
- Aylett Nurseries Ltd
- Barton Grange Garden Centre
- Bents Garden & Home
- Coolings Nurseries
- Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill
- Newbridge Nurseries
- Perrywood Garden Centre & Nurseries Ltd
- Scotsdale Garden Centre
- Stewarts Garden Centre, Christchurch
- The Millbrook Garden Company, Gravesend.
Iain added: ?Our Ruxley Rose competition aims to inspire our members to maintain best practice.
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“It is another competition that our members work hard towards throughout the year.
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?Members can furthermore take advantage of Michael?s practical advice, as well as showcasing their own sales initiatives.
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?I would also like to say a huge congratulations to all the finalists.
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“I wish everyone the best of luck for the next stage of the competition.?
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