Undercover Work Pays Off For Garden Centre Bosses

The latest addition to an expanding business, which has diversified to give it a greater year-round appeal, has been welcomed by customers.

Work on the 200sqm terrace started in August in order to provide a bigger and better area for displaying plants.

The family-run business started as a nursery more than 15 years ago. It grew into a garden centre, followed by a cafe in 2007 and a function room and cafe opened last year as owner Marc Charnley sought to make his business ?season-proof?.

But Mr Charnley said that despite the diversification of the business, the new plant centre was part of a commitment to the company?s origins.

He said: ?It remains a massive part of our business. This is our roots and we are still heavily involved in the garden side of things.

?For just over two years we have been trying to raise our image and develop our identity with the other aspects of the business.

?But with all the other work we have done around the business to make everything smart, the garden side of things needed to follow suit as well.

?We are a family-orientated business. My dad Llewellyn is running the plant centre with my sister Leeanne Charnley and my dad has more than 25 years experience to help with queries.

?It?s all undercover because, that way, plants stay fresher for longer, they are easier to maintain and we don?t get as much waste, which helps us to keep our prices down.

?It has easy access, helps us promote our stock in a better way and allows customers to shop in a friendly environment. And it keeps you dry!?

Mr Charnley said the undercover centre had been well received, with ?fantastic? and ?amazing? among customer comments.

He said the family was planning a visit to The Netherlands at the end of the month to re-stock, meaning that by mid-February the terrace will be fully stocked ready for the season.

In another development at the Dalton firm, there are now 60 extra car parking spaces, taking the capacity to almost 100.

Article Source:?http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/undercover-work-pays-off-for-garden-centre-bosses-1.1111146