A fourth-generation family run business is this year marking its 80th anniversary — having built a reputation of quality and customer care.
From its beginnings as a nursery and market stall operation to now a 25-acre site complete with a swan sanctuary and tea rooms, Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre has remained a true family affair.
“We’re strongly independent, strongly family-run. We’re now at four generations,” said Paul Taylor, a third-generation Taylor in the business.
The Taylor family, from left: Helen Barry, George Barry, Richard Taylor, Mark Taylor, Jean Ann Taylor, and Paul Taylor. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe Media
“You’ll always be talking to a Taylor at the counter and we know about the product we’re selling you.
“Local people have grown up with Reg Taylor’s, for them it has always been here. That’s worth celebrating.”
Founded in 1946 by Reginald Taylor, who while serving in mainland Europe was struck by the likely shortage of horticultural supplies following the Second World War, the business began life as small nursery on Park Road, Chillwell, and a stall on Nottingham’s Central Market.
The lakes at Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre, which were constructed by Mark Taylor and are now home to the Swan Sactuary. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe MediaReg Taylor’s Garden Centre is celebrating 80 years in business. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe Media
Reg had saved up £200 to strike a deal with his uncle for the site and stall, and then further grew his operation by growing roses on family land in Carlton where he developed his expertise to become a Gold Medal Rose Grower.
Despite a bitter winter in 1947 which saw trade stagnate and a struggle to repay a further £200 loan, Reg’s keen business sense of buying up other nurseries’ stock set him in good stead come Mothering Sunday, and the business was able to flourish.
By 1962, he had opened a shop in Beeston, held a larger market stall, and bought more land in Carlton — but housing developments in the area were preventing further expansion and so he began to look further afield.
Now joined in the business by his son Richard Taylor, the pair took on the current site at Hill Farm, Normanton, and the nursery there officially opened in spring 1963.
Reg Taylor’s portrait on display in one of the garden centre’s retail showrooms, as his business celebrates 80 years. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe MediaA number of sculpture events have taken place at Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre, with some works remaining on display at the site. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe Media
Another spanner was thrown into the works however, when the imminent closure of Central Market forced the Taylors to reconsider their retail plans. Richard, following in his father’s brazen business footseps, took a gamble on setting up a retail operation at the Hill Farm site despite it being in a quiet hamlet with little passing traffic.
However, it paid off and when word got out about the quality of the family’s plants more and more customers visited, more areas of the nursery were opened up, and more land was bought. By the time Central Market closed, Reg Taylor’s was well-established as a garden centre.
“I think the big thing with being 80 years old is the customers. I personally have known generations of customers — some from children who have then grown up and brought their own children here,” Paul added.
Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre is set over 25 acres in Normanton. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe MediaReg Taylor’s Garden Centre relocated from Chilwell to Hill Farm, Normanton, opening in 1963. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe Media
“The customer loyalty, and the generations of customers we have served in the county is quite something.
“We’ve also employed people over that time, and we have several members of staff who have been with us over 25 years which is a lovely thing.”
Reg himself retired in 1980, but before his death eight years later saw the business bloom even more — his grandchildren Mark Taylor, Paul Taylor, and Helen Barry joining the business over the following years.
Mark excavated five lakes on the site — which would later become the Swan Sanctuary after Richard’s wife Jean Ann began collecting unwanted and injured swans — and his wife Dawn became involved with the restaurant. Paul and his wife Cadien meanwhile took the reigns on the retail side, which now sees vast showrooms offering gifts and homeware, and Helen works behind-the-scenes keeping the finances in check.
Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre began life as a small nursery in Chilwell and stall on Nottingham’s Central Market. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe MediaThe Swan Sanctuary at Reg Taylor’s. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe Media
Her son, George Barry, has kept the tradition alive and become the fourth generation of the family to work at the business, in both retail and finance.
Moving away from the nursery side of the business, Reg Taylors has further established itself as a destination rather than simply a place to buy quality plants.
Paul added: “Shopping habits have changed — the restaurant, which was developed by mum about 40 years ago, has become more important. It’s about becoming more of a destination, a day out.
“The offering has to be a lot broader to sustain that.”
The Mower Shop at Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre is known for it’s customer care and expertise. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe MediaReg Taylor’s Garden Centre this year marks 80 years in business. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe Media
Run entirely in-house, and with ample outdoor seating for sun-soaked days, the tea rooms offer a full range from Sunday Roast, breakfasts, and homemade bakes and afternoon tea.
The retail side of the business has also adapted to changing habits. Paul and Cadien work to create “a bit of theatre and a bit of excitement” with themed seasonal displays of homewares, gifts, and garden furniture to inspire customers, while mechanically-minded Mark’s Mower Shop has seen nearly 40 years of trade thanks to the specialist knowledge and long-term customer care offered over selling lawnmowers “off the shelf”.
The Swan Sanctuary also played host to a number of Sculpture in the Sanctuary events from 2009 onwards — even welcoming a giant helix which held a Guiness World Record for its size.
Looking forward, the family plan to “maintain the ethos” of the business in the years to come.
Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre offers a range of lifestyle, garden, and gifting retail. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe MediaReg Taylor’s Garden Centre has expanded its offering to become a day out, including tea rooms, a Swan Sanctuary, and retail. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe MediaReg Taylor’s specialises in quality and variety when it comes to plants. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe Media
“The plans are to maintain what we do and do it well,” Paul said.
“We specialise in having high quality products, and a vast range. We are going to carry on and just do the best we can.”
To mark the milestone year Reg Taylors will offer a range of in-house promotions in partnership with its suppliers, and entrance to the Swan Sanctuary will be free during the school summer holiday to allow as many children as possible to benefit from the nine-acre wildlife haven.
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