It marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the family business
Lara White, Malcolm White and Bob Joy cutting the ribbon
There’s a fresh look and feel at Otter Garden Centres in Ottery St Mary, where a new, light-filled building is welcoming customers for the very first time.
It replaces a structure that has been in place for around 48 years, most recently housing the aquatics centre and bulb displays. Although it had served the business well, it needed replacing as the area was lacking in natural light and the roof was starting to let in the rain.
The revamp also provided an opportunity to make improvements to the customer experience, offering a more logical route around the store with a newly located entrance and exit. Overall, the area is now much brighter, more spacious and welcoming to customers.
The new tills area
The ribbon was cut by Otter Garden Centres founder Malcolm White, his granddaughter Lara and former employee Bob Joy. Bob joined the business in 1972 and was involved in the building of the original structure, which had been purchased second hand, as was fairly common practice in that era.
Bob says he remembers mixing cement for the foundations. “In those days there were just eight of us working alongside Malcolm and Marilyn, so it was all hands on deck.”
The Otter site in Gosford Road grew from small beginnings with the Whites living in a caravan and selling plants to local markets. Over the years they purchased adjoining land, first for growing nurseries, then the plant and retail centre that customers are familiar with today.
The new entrance
Marilyn White said: “It’s wonderful to see history moving forward as the family business we started in 1964 continues to grow. And how lovely to be able to invite Bob along to be with Malcolm for the ribbon cutting – we didn’t ask him to mix cement this time round.”
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