Welland Vale Nurseries opens new ?500,000 store

A plant wholesaler is celebrating its 40th anniversary in style with the opening of a new store.

Welland Vale Nurseries, in Glaston Road, Uppingham, has opened a new retail unit and glass house and is hoping the development will bring a welcome boost to business.

The development was made possible following a ?500,000 investment programme. The company secured a ?200,000 finance package from HSBC?s Mid Lincolnshire and the Fens commercial team to support the project.

Company owner Trevor Burns, who founded the business?in 1974 with two other directors, said: ?We are very much focused on the gardener and our product range is aimed towards them, rather than some other garden centres which offer goods which are very much on the periphery of gardening.

?Our wholesale business was still strong but growth opportunities were limited, which has led to the launch of the retail offering.

?We have enjoyed a really strong start to business, with the bright weather bringing everybody out into their gardens.?

The company hopes the new development will help boost sales from ?1.25m to ?2m.

It has recruited Mike Easom as garden centre manager to work alongside operations directors Laurence Middleton and a team of staff to drive the business forward?forward.

Long-standing and loyal customer and designer Adam Frost, winner of three consecutive Chelsea Flower Show medals, opened the new centre.

HSBC Mid Lincolnshire and the Fens area commercial director Alan Andrews said: ?Welland Vale Nurseries is an example that there is never a bad time for businesses to adapt and evolve.

?The company had been doing pretty much the same thing for 40 years, but it has acted on the opportunity to expand the company and diversify its income stream.

?We are seeing more of our customers talking to us about investment opportunities as business?confidence grows.?

For more information about Welland Vale Nurseries, visit?www.wellandvaleplantsdirect.co.uk

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